Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein, has urged members of the lands tribunal to attend to cases brought to them within a reasonable time and decide on matters without any fear or favour.

The minister said this on Monday while congratulating the members after they were sworn in at the Windhoek High Court.

He said that the duties of the lands tribunal carry a huge responsibility, and in terms of section 67 of the Agricultural Land (commercial) Reform Act 6 of 1995, the lands tribunal has jurisdiction to decide any appeal lodged with it in terms of any provisions of the act, consider and make decisions on any application made to it in terms of any provision of the act and generally to inquire and adjudicate upon any matter which is required or permitted to be referred to it under any provision of the aforesaid act or any other law.

‘The law further provides that a decision, order or determination of the lands tribunal may be executed as if it were a decision and order of the High Court of Namibia. These functions are material in their application. To discharge these functions it requires a high degree of dedication, integrity, fairness, good analytical and research skills to arrive at undisputed judgements,’ said Schlettwein.

He added that the volume of the functions will double or triple, once the land bill is enacted into law because matters pertaining to communal land will be referred to the same body. Thus, it is a demanding but not “insurmountable” engagement, hence the members need to familiarise themselves with the relevant laws like the communal land reform Act 5 of 2002.

‘We are delighted by your appointment and the oath you took today. The Namibian nation has high expectations from you. Among others, we as Namibians expect the lands tribunal to attend to the cases within a reasonable time, decide on the matters brought to the lands tribunal without any fear or favour, finalise outstanding cases within a reasonable time and adhere to your meeting program as you may agree on it,’ stated Schlettwein.

The members will serve for a period of three years and are Alfred Siboleka as chairperson, Laurence Kavendjii, Anne Shilengudwa, Dagmar Honsbein and Vaino Shivute.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency