New Era

GAM - Gam farmers who have illegally moved cattle - now estimated at 1Â 021 head - into the Nyae Nyae Conservancy were told in no uncertain terms that they will not be able to retrieve the cattle and were presented with grim options at an inter-ministerial meeting with representatives from the community in Gam yesterday.

Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology, Mbeuta Ua Ndjarakana, told the meeting that those who have moved the cattle will have to face the consequences of their actions before the Government responds to the requested assistance.

Members of families who have crossed the fence have been reportedly left destitute, and reports are that a further 10 people driving cattle across into Nyae Nyae were apprehended by the police on Sunday.

"I am not saying that the Government won't take care of these destitute people, but those who have made the decision (to move the cattle) must live with the consequences," said Ua Ndjarakana.

Dr Alaster Samkange, Chief of Veterinary Services in the north-east of the country, said the return of animals to Gam could have an adverse effect because of the potential lung sickness and foot-and-mouth disease since the cattle have been moved across the red line.

The cattle in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy will be ear tagged and branded in subsequent days, he said.
"If a settlement cannot be arranged, with the Ju-Hoansi Traditional Authority we will have to make some tough decision, but whatever decision we reach, it must be able to stand up to international scrutiny (of the beef industry)," said Samkange.

He said the department of veterinary services will not be in a position to issue permits for the animals to be returned to Gam since the cattle have been moved into a conservancy area, adding that options open to farmers were either to sell the cattle or for the cattle to be slaughtered.

Farmers also wanted to know if the quarantine slapped on all cattle at Gam could be lifted, but a State veterinarian from Gobabis Dr Immanuel Hikufe responded that the lifting would come at too high a cost, urging Gam farmers to stop moving the cattle to Nyae Nyae.

The meeting was told that as many as 64 families have requested to be resettled at Nyae Nyae, with 29 families already there.

These farmers have been sternly warned not to cross over.

Families have reportedly crossed the fence because of losses suffered as a result of the poison plant, Dicaptalen.

"This is not the solution," stressed Ua Ndjarakana.

Chief Alex Kavei of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority under Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako - submitted a letter to the meeting with recommendations that the "returnees of the first victims of colonial wars of 1904-1908" would like the Government to again "readdress" their situation in Gam.

Various speakers at yesterday's gathering recalled a meeting with former Prime Minister Hage Geingob where Gam settlers did not want to be resettled elsewhere.

During a subsequent meeting with former President Sam Nujoma, the Founding Father reportedly advised the dissatisfied Gam residents to enter into consultation with traditional authorities at Nyae Nyae, or approach Cabinet before they take any action.

A further recommendation from the Ovaherero Traditional Authority was for the Government to "kindly sympathise and accept families who crossed into Tsumkwe area to be settled permanently with their livestock".
"Kindly look into the current situation of these families who crossed into Tsumkwe and render some caring measures, (a) for the welfare and livelihood, (b) school children since they cannot sell their livestock, (c) the livestock for they cannot return to Gam area to avoid socio-economic implications," the letter read.

Another submission was made by the Ovaherero Traditional Authority under the Okambazembi Royal House, the Gam Farmers Association and the Local Development Committee of the Gam area.

This submission largely relates to animal health concern in Gam following the illegal movement of animals to Tsumkwe.

This letter was signed by both Kavei and Justice Uapimbi, Headman of the Okambazembi Royal House.

The letter stated that the prevailing scenario could lead to the reclassification of Gam as a red zone, (thus denying the current status of marketing livestock internationally after quarantining them).

Participants at yesterday's meeting reported that the request for settlement in Nyae Nyae to the Ju-Hoansi Traditional Authority Chief, Tsamkxao Bobo #Oma, has fallen on deaf ears.

Chief #Oma, who attended the meeting but sat and listened quietly for the most part, later told New Era that such settlements would be bad for the Nyae Nyae Conservancy that depends on tourism and trophy hunting, adding that he has also not received any written request from any of the Gam farmers to settle there.

In the meantime, police commissioner Nyambu Ndaitwah said the police is under instruction to intensify "to the maximum extent" its control on movement across the fence to Nyae Nyae, and that the police will have a permanent presence along the border between the two areas "until further notice".

Meanwhile, Inspector Samuel Gariseb of the police has refuted media reports that there were some cattle stolen at Nyae Nyae.

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