Kunene Governor Marius Sheya says land reform is crucial for equitable land distribution, addressing historical injustice, and promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development.

He made this remark in his State of the Region Address.

Governor Sheya says 256 customary land rights, 12 leasehold land rights, and four occupational land rights were approved by the Kunene Regional Communal Land Board. 

"During the period under review, three staff members were recruited with the responsibility for communal land registration, while six under the National Youth Service (NYS) were recruited for caretaking services and guarding resettlement farms."

He further says Namibia-German Cooperation and the European Commission availed N$30 million towards the Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform Ministry to implement the land reform program with a focus on communal areas.

"The ministry collected N$106,844.60 from resettlement lease rentals and N$97,827.71 from communal lease rentals during the period under review."

On the promotion of sanitation and hygiene, a total of 75 ventilated, improved pit latrines were constructed in the Kunene, which created temporary employment for 67 unemployed rural youths.

The government avails funds on an annual basis to improve access to sanitation and hygiene.

During the period under review, he says his region recorded an increase in crime.

"Rape cases increased by 32 from 9 cases in 2022/2023 to 41 cases; stock theft cases increased by 20 from 153 cases in the 2022/2023 FYI to 173 cases; and lastly, domestic violence cases increased by 26 from 42 in the 2022/2023 FYI to 58 cases."

He commended the government for completing the construction of the Omakange Police Station.

The Palmwag Police Station was also completed, as were the drilling of boreholes and the supply of water at Ehomba Police Station.

During the period under review, there were 132 GBV cases, including cases of children who were physically, emotionally, and sexually abused and children neglected.