By: Ketemba Tjipepa

The Ganaxas community is furious with a farmer who holds their livestock hostage for grazing on his land.

The settlement, also known as Baumgartsbrunn, is 25 kilometres east of Windhoek.

The farmer, known only as the Wolsie, said he is tired of other people’s livestock grazing on his land.

Wolsie detained 20 cows for three days and demanded that the owners pay N$500 per cow and N$100 per goat.

“These cows are always grazing illegally on my land,” said Wolsie when confronted by the community on Thursday. He added that the community’s livestock were finishing his grazing resources, and he needed to find a way to make them pay.

A resident, Monica //Naobes, said she is unhappy that her livestock had to be kept hostage and to pay for them to be released.

“I’m unhappy and there’s no peace here. One of the farmers is holding our livestock hostage for trespassing on his field, demanding N$500 per cow and N$100 per goat for their release. We move our animals for grazing, but they sometimes stray into his farm, which we cannot always control. He’s kept them for three days without food and now threatens to involve the police,” said //Naobes.

The community has called for clear documentation of their land rights and a fair resolution to the ongoing disputes with local farmers.

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