Otjiwarongo:Vice President Lucia Witbooi urged traditional authorities to cease the sale of communal land within their jurisdictions. Her appeal was made during the 27th Annual Meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Witbooi emphasized that selling communal land denies community members fair access to essential resources such as land, water wells, and community boreholes. She also highlighted the issue of illegal fencing, which restricts access to common lands and resources, urging chiefs and traditional authorities to address this problem.

Witbooi advised traditional leaders to avoid criticizing the government on social media, warning that this could incite communities against the government. She stressed the importance of cooperation between traditional leaders and the government to address concerns at the grassroots level.

Additionally, Witbooi encouraged resolving succession disputes through customary norms rather than legal battles, and she called for unity and rejection of tribalism. Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, remarked on the 53 recognized traditional authorities in Namibia, 17 of which are involved in chieftaincy disputes. He stated that no new applications for chieftaincy recognition would be considered during his tenure.

Sankwasa urged traditional leaders to foster peace and unity, emphasizing their shared membership in traditional communities. The meeting aimed to address issues affecting traditional authorities and is set to conclude on Friday.