Staff Reporter
MEMBERS of the Doro !Nawas and Uibasen Twyfelfontein conservancies marched to the Ministry of Environment in Windhoek on Thursday, 24 October 2024, to submit a petition calling for an end to mining activities in their wildlife and tourism area.
While the group of protesters in Windhoek numbered fewer than 20, David Bishop, Media Liaison for Ultimate Safaris, revealed that the petition was signed by nearly 300 community members.
It calls for an investigation and action on mining operations conducted by Timoteus Mashuna and Otilie Ndesheetelwa Ndimulunde, who hold several mining claims in the Khorixas District, Kunene Region, within the Joint Management Area shared by the Uibasen Twyfelfontein, Sorris Sorris, and Doro !Nawas conservancies.
“We are requesting the immediate withdrawal of their respective Environmental Clearance Certificates, which will then cancel the mining claims, and the withdrawal of the entire Joint Management Area from mining and exploration activities, including the rhino range of the //Huab and Khoadi //Hoas Conservancies,” the petition reads.
The conservancies also request that the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism uphold legislation related to Game Management and Utilisation Plans, zonation schedules, and other frameworks for Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) that they submitted.
“We are again requesting the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) and its directorates to take serious action against the Environmental Clearance Certificates that were issued to the mining efforts by the Environmental Commissioner without proper consultation or consideration of the people in the area, and action against the miners for the damage they have caused by not complying with their own EIAs and EMPs. They have destroyed large parts of our land, which, as per the Environmental Management Act, is a criminal offence,” the petition added.
Further, the petition questions the procedures that permitted mining in wildlife areas, requesting an explanation from the Ministry.
“We are looking to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) to assist in cancelling the Environmental Clearance Certificates with immediate effect; otherwise, we will be left with no choice but to demand justice through other avenues, some of which are already with the courts,” the petition warned.
The conservancy members reaffirmed their commitment to tourism and wildlife safety, making clear that they oppose mining in the Joint Management Area, wildlife-exclusive zones, and other critical conservation sites.
“If our plea is not heard, we will be forced to take this matter to further courts of law, both locally and internationally, to protect our rare endangered species (Black rhinos) and their breeding zone. We are also seeking an audience with the Vice President and President, as we feel the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has treated us as conservancies and communities with contempt and disrespect. We don’t want mining in our wildlife and tourism zones,” the petition added.
The petition, submitted on behalf of Doro !Nawas and Uibasen Twyfelfontein members, stresses their commitment to preserving and protecting the region’s natural resources.
“We are trying our best to comply with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s (MEFT) plans and policies, but it seems that the MEFT is not doing the same and appears totally unsupportive of our efforts to conserve our high-value tourism and conservation areas. Why is the MEFT not showing any concern about the proposed mining, which threatens the safety and habitat of the rare endangered species (Black Rhino), a rhino population we have conserved for centuries, and why does it not respect and abide by our custodianship contract with the Ministry? Our livelihoods will be entirely threatened by mining activities,” the petition reads.
