Rundu: Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has said his ministry might conduct land audits across all traditional authorities in the country as some authorities have been selling land instead of allocating it through proper procedures. Sankwasa made the remarks during a five-day workshop that began in Rundu on Monday for traditional authority leaders, council members, and secretaries from the two Kavango regions and Zambezi.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the workshop, which runs until Friday, aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of the legal framework, empowering traditional authorities to operate more effectively and better serve their communities. He expressed concern over practices observed in the Zambezi Region, where some chiefs reportedly demand between N.dollars 20 000 and N.dollars 30 000 from individuals seeking land before allocation.

‘I urge chiefs to protect the land,’ he said, noting that much of it is being acquired by foreign nationals rather than locals. Sankwasa said the ministry may be forced to conduct land audits across all traditional authorities. ‘The land must be safeguarded for future generations,’ he emphasised.

He further clarified that he has no objection to traditional authorities allocating land to Namibians from different parts of the country, but raised concern over land being granted to foreign nationals. Sankwasa also highlighted ongoing disputes and power struggles over traditional leadership succession, which he said have become increasingly common.

These internal conflicts, he noted, not only delay the appointment of new leaders, but also create divisions that hinder community progress. ‘My humble appeal to all is to embrace greater tolerance and uphold our customary laws and traditions,’ Sankwasa concluded.