By Kaleb Nghishidivali
Otjiwarongo, August 8 – The villagers of Muyako in the Katima Mulilo rural constituency of the Zambezi region are in distress following extensive crop losses caused by wild animals, primarily elephants, buffaloes, and hippos. The community members accuse the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism of negligence in responding to their urgent reports.
The residents’ complaints were voiced during public hearings held by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, which is currently investigating the human-wildlife conflict in the Zambezi region. The hearings were initiated after a related motion was tabled in the National Assembly in March and referred to the committee for consultation.
The villagers, primarily dependent on crop farming, lamented the inadequacy of the compensation received for their losses. The cost of plowing far exceeded the set compensation fees, making the financial burden of farming untenable. Residents also expressed frustration over the slow processing of their claims, with some outstanding payments dating back to 2019.
The Ngambela of the Masubia tribe, Albius Kamwi, criticized the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism and the local conservancies for failing to alert the Khuta about incidences of human-wildlife conflict. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the current policy of compensating for damages caused only by three specific wildlife species.
The current policy on Human-Wildlife Conflict Management (2018–2027) limits payments for crop damage to incidents involving elephants, buffaloes, and hippos. The compensation fees are set at N$3000 for loss of cattle and N$250 to N$1000 for crop damage per quarter to a full hectare.
Zambezi Regional Governor Lawrence Sampofu called for an urgent review of the compensation policy. He attributes the increased human-wildlife conflict to the region’s proximity to the Kavango-Zambezi Trans-frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA), which boasts a large elephant population.
Sampofu also praised the Namibian government for refusing to ban the sale of ivory, emphasizing the financial requirements of current conservation efforts. He suggested a discussion with CITES to allow the sale of ivory stockpiles for conservation funding.
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s Chief Warden for Wildlife and National Park Management, Maani Matomola, highlighted the operational challenges the ministry faces in the region, including a lack of transport, staff, and limited fuel for official vehicles. He also pointed out the issue of community members settling in conservancy core areas as a contributing factor to the conflict.
Reginah Ndopu Lubinda, the Chief Regional Officer, suggested reconsidering the size of conservancies to allow for more farming, potentially restoring the Zambezi as the breadbasket of Namibia. She put forward the need for a balance between food production and wildlife conservation.
The committee, led by Agnes Kafula and comprising fellow MPs Mike Venaani, Annakletha Sikerete, and Tangeni Iijambo, will prepare a comprehensive report for further action in parliament.
