Oshikoto Communal Land Board member Fabian Venasiu has warned village headmen to refrain from illegally selling or allocating land parcels.

This follows the removal of illegal fencing at Ohaiyanda village, outside the Omutsegwonime area in the Oshikoto Region, on Friday.

Venasiu told NBC News that a complainant in the village reported that the headman allegedly allocated a portion of land belonging to her son to an unknown person.

The matter was reported to the Land Board in 2024. Following an investigation, the fencing was removed after it was established that the complainant was the rightful owner of the 30-hectare piece of land and had evidence in the form of a land ownership certificate.

Members of the public who own land within communal areas are urged to apply for and acquire land certificates through the correct procedures, Oshikoto Communal Land Board member Fabian Venasiu advised.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform has commenced with the removal of illegal land fencing across the country, starting in the Kavango East Region, followed by the Oshikoto Region. The next area will be the Omaheke Region.

The National Youth Service has been contracted to remove the illegal poles and fences.