Residents of Mpora Village in the Kavango West Region held a protest against the illegal fencing of communal land, calling for intervention from the regional governor.

The dispute, which has lasted for about eight years, centers on land owned by Mathew Hamutenya, whose farm is said to cover about seven kilometers, affecting three villages: Katjinakatji Number 2, Mpora, and Casava.

The villagers claim that the fencing deprives them of grazing land and forces some families to relocate, as their homes now fall within the fenced farm. Additionally, the area contains a community graveyard and two government boreholes.

Shindimba Ignatius, a community spokesperson, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency. "

A few days ago, people claiming the land came with a government vehicle, but they refused to explain its purpose. They said we would be given one kilometer to live on and wouldn’t be allowed to cross into the fenced area," said Ignatius. "This is why we are demonstrating."

Villagers noted that they have previously held meetings with regional leaders and traditional authorities, who assured them that no farm would be established on Mpora’s communal land.

 Thomas Rengi received the community's petition on behalf of Kavango West Governor Sirkka Ausiku, acknowledging that a solution to the issue is long overdue. He promised to forward the petition for further discussion.

Mathew Hamutenya, the landowner, responded by stating that he legally obtained the land before independence, following all necessary procedures with approval from the land board.

He added that the farm size had already been reduced to accommodate nearby homesteads.

Regarding the cemetery, Hamutenya clarified that it was a family graveyard, not public, and insisted that the borehole on the farm was privately owned.

The situation remains tense, with the community awaiting further action from regional authorities.