PDM Leader McHenry Venaani raised concerns in the National Assembly regarding generational farmworkers being evicted by a new farm owner in the Otjozondjupa Region at the Okamuru Farm.
He questioned the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) about whether they are aware and how they will intervene in the matter.
"The allegation is that this farm was bought without due process of a waiver, true or not, I don't know; I want to hear from you, but I want to ask you as the leader in the settlement and lens matter, how are we coming to the rescue of those farm labourers, generational farm labourers? Because the matter of Okamuru is about to get out of hand."
The minister of MAFWLR, Inge Zaamwani, says that they had written a letter to the farm owner to either buy the land or have a discussion in order to come up with an agreement.
She says the ministry has not received any response from the owner.
"I know the situation is very precarious because not only has he been threatening them for the last six months, he takes his cattle, he goes and sells and deducts. So it's a very precarious situation. And we are aware of it, and we are working on it. Maybe the solution is not within the timelines, but I would like to engage that farmer myself and hear from him whether he is willing, but he's not responsible; he's not coming back to us."
Zaamwani says the farmworkers will be considered to be put on the list for resettlement.
NUDO leader Vetaruhe Kandorozu also raised concerns regarding non-functioning Rural Water Supply offices responsible for repairs and maintenance of boreholes.
He says farmers have taken the responsibility to repair boreholes by themselves.
Zaamwani, in her response, stated that she has consulted the Water Supply Directorate to identify challenges and come up with solutions to address the matter.
"I've asked them to prepare a plan and to highlight the critical areas that we need to address. What are the requirements? And then once I receive that plan, we'll see where we can get the resources. But the responsibility is not entirely falling upon the ministry, although we still maintain custodianship in terms of overseeing and technical advice. But you may also wish to ask the regional council of that region concerned what the issue is and what the challenges are and how they intend to address it."