Ruacana residents, under the leadership of senior traditional authority councillor Hilma Murumendu, called for an urgent meeting with the Omusati Governor, Erginus Endjala, to help mediate the land dispute between them and the Ruacana Town Council.

They accused the council of grabbing their land, which they depend on for livelihood.

In 2014, Ruacana Town Council allegedly extended the town boundaries, grabbing large hectares of Uukolonkadhi traditional authority communal land and making it part of the town.

The council allegedly carried out the town extension without informing or consulting the affected people.

The dispute over land grabbing has been dragging on for about a decade now without an amicable solution.

The land custodian saw it fit to call a meeting with the Omusati Governor to inform him about their concern because they were left with insufficient land for grazing and food production.

"It has come to the notice of the community that despite being allocated sufficient land by the Ruacana Traditional Authority Council, the town council has proceeded to illegally acquire additional land. This action is in direct violation of the laws governing land extension in communal areas."

The residents of the affected areas are disturbed by the "unlawful land grabbing," and they are calling for immediate revocation of the 2014 gazette, which, they say, has been misused as a justification for land grabbing.

They are calling on the office of the governor to intervene and address the matter promptly, considering prevailing justice for all.

In response, Omusati Governor Erginus Endjala said he would bring the two parties together to listen to both sides and give feedback to the group.

He further said land disputes, if they are not well addressed, have the potential to destabilise the country.

"I will try my level best to organise a meeting with the municipality and the members concerned, but you already have the fact that it is just a matter of hearing from the municipality what prompted them to extend the borders up to that area; it is a matter of negotiation."

Ruacana Town Council Chief Executive Officer Malakia Iileka said, "This is an issue of 2014, and I came into office in 2022, so I don't want to comment on this issue at this point in time, but I can consult on it so that we can give proper information, but at this point in time I am unable to comment."