A group of community members residing in various villages around the Lizauli area in the Kongola constituency protested against the alleged maladministration of the benefits of the Mashi Conservancy.

The community members are focused on the conservancy's management committee.

The group that resorts under the Mashi Traditional Authority has not been receiving conservancy benefits as registered members.

"Since May 2019, we have been completely excluded from receiving benefits, namely money and meat from our hunting camp. Our sub khuta is also excluded from an annual benefit amounting to N$20,000, while the other four sub khutas under his royal highness Chief George Mamili are receiving these benefits every year," explained Harris Sihela, group spokesperson.

They further raised the lack of representation in the conservancy management committee and exclusion from community projects.

"We are completely excluded from community projects taking place within Mashi Conservancy. Since 2019, we have been trying to engage the management committee to address our concerns, but nothing has happened. The only answer we get is that only communities falling under Chief Mamili are entitled to receive benefits from the conservancy."

The group also claims exclusion from job opportunities at the conservancy office, campsites, and lodges in the area, a matter they said was addressed by the Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Heather Sibungo, but nothing has changed since they say.

"We demand the following: the closure of Mashi Conservancy activities until the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism finds an amicable solution with those who claim to be the owners. Total removal of the Mashi Management Committee members and a new committee to be constituted; amendment to all sections of the Mashi Conservancy Constitution, which are outdated and contrary to the Namibian Constitution," said Sihela.

The chairperson of the conservancy management committee, Shine Kadimba, who received the petition, said the conservancy constitution needs to be reviewed to ensure that members receive their benefits.

Kadimba also mentioned that division among family members has also contributed to the conservancy constitution not being able to favour all members.

"People are dividing themselves within the families; it's not the Mashi Conservancy that is dividing the people; people are dividing themselves, and the constitution, which is controlling us and driving us, cannot favour that issue. That's why you see that we are not following what you are complaining about."

On jobs exclusion, he said the conservancy office only announces vacancies and receives applications, while screening and selections are done by the lodges.

Kadimba said the committee would review issues brought forward by the group.