‘Communal land remains state property’ – Sankwasa …minister says chiefs are only custodians

Allexer Namundjembo

Rural and urban development minister James Sankwasa has reiterated that communal land across Namibia remains state property, warning traditional leaders against any attempts to treat or trade it as privately owned land.

Speaking at the coronation of VaGciriku Hompa Bartholomeus Aruvita Kayoka in Ndiyona on Saturday, Sankwasa said traditional leaders are entrusted with land administration on behalf of the government and must ensure that communal land is protected from illegal transactions.

“Land in every corner of the country is state property. It is not for the chief, not for the headman, because the chief and the headman are custodians of the government,” Sankwasa said.

He stressed that communal land cannot be sold and must be managed strictly within established legal procedures.