Villages in the eastern part of Otjinene Constituency, bordering the Eiseb area in the Omaheke Region, are battling a veldfire that has destroyed vegetation and much-needed grazing.

Oturauhane Village Headman, Alfons Tjipetekera, says the persistent windy conditions have made the already strong fire difficult to extinguish.

Tjipetekera added that with available assistance from the government, the fire can hopefully be put out.

He, however, fears that the grazing land on which the farmers depend will be completely destroyed.

"It's a huge loss indeed, as some vegetation has started to yield, and this will affect our livelihoods very much, but hopefully some parts of our grazing area will be left with a few shrubs."

The Constituency Councillor of Otjinene, Erwin Katjizeu, said the fire outbreak has caused devastation among the farming community.

Katjizeu added that the Namibian Defence Force has provided members and equipment to assist in controlling the fire outbreak.

"We contacted the Namibian army, and they sent four trucks. They are helping with 38 men on the ground, and the devastation is a lot. As animals are burned, it's really hard on the local farmers vegetation. Grass is destroyed, and remember, we are at the crucial point of the season. Grass and a little bit of vegetation that was left are also destroyed."

Katjizeu adds that in the past seven years, the area has been devastated by fires, endangering the survival of livestock and wild animals.

He appealed to communities in and around the affected areas to always provide water to the NDF team whenever approached.

Although no livestock losses have been experienced, fences are destroyed.

The cause of the fire outbreak is still unknown.