By Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, 19 December 2024 – Residents of the Masida community in the Zambezi Region are outraged after allegations surfaced that the management of Sobbe Conservancy embezzled N$300,000. This amount was part of N$600,000 designated for community development projects aimed at benefiting the local population where the conservancy operates. However, the community claims that conservancy managers and village headmen awarded themselves bonuses, diverting half of the funds intended for the projects.
An anonymous Masida resident, who spoke to Namibia Daily News, claims that this is not the first time conservancy funds have ended up in the pockets of senior officials. “We can’t allow them to benefit twice,” the source said. “They’ve taken bonuses for themselves and now want to use the remaining funds for projects that will not serve us. They need to give us the remaining money so we can decide which projects are most important. Since we discovered the misappropriation, they’ve tried to call an AGM, but we refuse to attend because we know they will just manipulate us, bribing the elderly with cool drinks and bread, as always. We demand that the Ministry of Environment and Tourism intervene. If not, we will boycott all operations of the conservancy, as it only benefits a few well-connected residents and not the community at large.”
Sobbe Conservancy plays a critical role in protecting a vital wildlife corridor that facilitates elephant movements between Botswana, Namibia, Angola, and Zambia. The conservancy is known for its spacious landscapes and abundant Mopane trees, which support the region’s biodiversity. However, internal conflicts within the community now threaten the future of conservation efforts, which have attracted significant international and governmental support.
In response to the allegations, Allen Nsundano Silubamga, manager of Sobbe Conservancy, acknowledged the issue but stated that it was an internal matter being handled by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and other stakeholders.
Despite repeated attempts, Namibia Daily News was unable to obtain comments from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. -Namibia Daily News
