The Iiheke ya Nakele community at Ekamba village in Okatana constituency of the Oshana Region are angered by the ongoing sand mining activities at their village.

They said the sand mining has been going on since 1993 on their ancestral land, which has been a source of water for villagers since time immemorial.

The site has been turned into large pits that pose a danger to both animals and humans.

The sand mining has resulted in environmental damage to the area, and thus far, three people have died at the site when they drowned in the pits that are deep and open as a result of sand mining.

The community accused the Uukwambi Traditional Authority of allegedly being involved in the sand mining activities, pocketing all proceeds from the sand mining.

According to their allegations, the Uukwambi Traditional Authority receives N$200 per load of sand, while the community receives nothing.

The environmental clearance certificate issued by the Environmental Commissioner for sand mining was suspended in December 2018, but the activities were never halted.

In response, Uukwambi Traditional Authority Spokesperson Timotheus Kalimba says they are not aware of sand mining activities at Iiheke ya Nakele, nor do they receive payments from there.