14 Okashana communal livestock farmers and cattle herders made their appearance before the Tsumeb Magistrate's Court, where they are facing a collective charge of malicious damage to property.

The men were arrested in September 2024 for unlawfully removing fences erected on communal land, where they are also demanding investigations into the occupation of such grazing land in Okashana kuukongo waNehale.

The accused appeared before Magistrate Karen Cleophas, who informed them that the investigations into their case were still ongoing and extended their bail.

They are set to return to the dock on 12 May, where they will be representing themselves.

Last year, farmers and community members demonstrated and delivered a petition to the Oshikoto Governor to act on their grievances to end the ongoing illegal fencing and occupation of large hectares of land at the expense of small livestock farmers.

However, the appeal seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

The land is allegedly being fenced by unidentified politically connected figures and elite individuals.

A civil case is also underway between the group, the Ondonga Traditional Authority, and the Oshikoto Land Board.

Okashana kuukongo waNehale has been a free-range grazing area for small-scale farmers since the reigns of King Paulus Elifas, King Fillemon Shuumbwa Elifas, and the late King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas.