Staff Reporter
THE Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, has expressed concern over the non-response by German farm owner Joachim Rust, the owner of Okamuru Farm located in the Omatako constituency near Waterberg, who is allegedly harassing and threatening to evict fifth-generation farm workers from the property.
Generational farm workers, whose history on the land predates the colonial period and the 1904 genocide, have in the past month held meetings stating that they are facing increasing pressure from the current farm owner, including confiscation of livestock and restricted movement.
The minister made these remarks while answering questions posed by McHenry Venaani, leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), who said that farmers are facing increased harassment from the new farm owner after it was sold by the previous Schneider family.
“Okamuru is about to get out of hand. The people wish to take the law into their own hands; they wish to take action,” Venaani warned.
In response, the land reform minister, Zaamwani-Kamwi, stated that she is aware of the contentious situation and has sought an audience with Rust without success.
“The old owner of the farm, Schneider, allowed people to stay until the elderly passed. The son, however, sold it to another owner. The agreement with the original farm owner had no written agreement with the generational farm workers. Last year we wrote to the new owner; we asked if he would be willing to sell the farm or enter into an agreement with government. We had engagements with the governor,” Zaamwani-Kamwi said.
She added that these efforts went in vain as government received no response, and that they cannot enter the farm as the gate is locked.
She further said the governor has been advised to speak to farmers who know the new owner, Mr Rust. “If they are unable to reach him, we must consider what the next course of action is. In the meantime, we have bought farms,” Zaamwani-Kamwi added, stating that the five families who face eviction may be added to the resettlement farmers programme list.
The minister, however, added that there is no quick fix as there are already thousands on the list waiting to be resettled.
“We are operating within the confines of our laws. The situation is precarious. He has been threatening them for the last six months,” Zaamwani-Kamwi said.
