Over 200 farmers from the Otamanzi Constituency have continued their protest against the fencing off of the Sheya Shuushona Conservancy, including a saltpan where they used to freely extract salt for animals and household consumption.

The large grazing land that surrounds the area in question falls under the Ongandjera Traditional Authority.

The farmers held a meeting in the hope of being granted an audience by members of the Land Board who were in the area to listen to their concerns.

The media was also barred from attending the land board meeting, citing that the meeting was private.

Farmers under the Kuugongelwa Amadhila Association submitted their concerns and grievances regarding the illegal fencing off of Sheya Shuushona Conservancy to the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Land Reform, the Ongandjera Traditional Authority, and the Otamanzi Constituency Office.

They claim that the commonage area envisaged to be fenced off is where the livestock of farmers from Ongandjera and other areas graze, and it will have a negative impact on livestock farmers once fenced off.

The controversial area was allegedly sold off in 2013 to a foreign national without the community's consent.

Contacted for comment, the Public Relations Officer of the traditional authority, Sackeus Shangula, said he could not deny or confirm whether or not the land was sold off.

He added that if the communal land is sold, it's news to him, saying that no one, including the traditional authority, has the mandate to sell off communal land.