Namibian Ministry of Lands and Resettlement has warned the owners of Erindi Game Reserve that the farm may not be sold until such time they complied with the land reform laws of the country.
The ministry’s warning comes after co-owner Gert Joubert gave the government an ultimatum to either buy the farm for the set price of N$1,3 billion or lose out to other potential foreign buyers.
Erindi, which means the place of water in Herero, is a 70 000 hectares estate situated 40km east of the town of Omaruru between the Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy and the Omatako Mountains and has 12 000 heads of game.
It is one of the largest privately owned game reserves in the world, attracting hundreds of tourists every year.
The ministry says that Joubert cannot sell the land to other buyers, because the government legally has the right of first refusal on any farmland being sold in the country. Only if the government is not interested in buying the land can it be sold to other private buyers, including foreigners.
According to the ministry, the Land Reform Act 6 of 1995, section 17, states that the government shall have the right to purchase agricultural land whenever any owner intends to alienate himself from it.
However, Joubert who bought the farm in 1986 argued that the farm is not agricultural land but falls under the tourism sector, which according to him is not listed under the Land Reform Act 6 of 1995. Erindi comprises of farm plot number 58 and constantia number 60, and thus falls under the constituted field mentioned under the Land Reform Act.
“The ministry is interested in the land and its position is to acquire the land but it is waiting for the farm to be offered again,” said Matongela.
Joubert, who says government is the preferred candidate, expressed fear of not being able to get a fair price for the value of the land.
“I am afraid that the government won’t be fair in handling this matter. I do not trust that they will give the farm its deserved value,” said Joubert, adding that he cannot enter into a deal that he would not benefit from.
“I have tried to convene meetings with the ministry but all attempts were in vain. I am still waiting to meet the prime minister,” said Joubert, who is currently in South Africa.
The ministry’s warning comes after co-owner Gert Joubert gave the government an ultimatum to either buy the farm for the set price of N$1,3 billion or lose out to other potential foreign buyers.
Erindi, which means the place of water in Herero, is a 70 000 hectares estate situated 40km east of the town of Omaruru between the Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy and the Omatako Mountains and has 12 000 heads of game.
It is one of the largest privately owned game reserves in the world, attracting hundreds of tourists every year.
The ministry says that Joubert cannot sell the land to other buyers, because the government legally has the right of first refusal on any farmland being sold in the country. Only if the government is not interested in buying the land can it be sold to other private buyers, including foreigners.
According to the ministry, the Land Reform Act 6 of 1995, section 17, states that the government shall have the right to purchase agricultural land whenever any owner intends to alienate himself from it.
However, Joubert who bought the farm in 1986 argued that the farm is not agricultural land but falls under the tourism sector, which according to him is not listed under the Land Reform Act 6 of 1995. Erindi comprises of farm plot number 58 and constantia number 60, and thus falls under the constituted field mentioned under the Land Reform Act.
“The ministry is interested in the land and its position is to acquire the land but it is waiting for the farm to be offered again,” said Matongela.
Joubert, who says government is the preferred candidate, expressed fear of not being able to get a fair price for the value of the land.
“I am afraid that the government won’t be fair in handling this matter. I do not trust that they will give the farm its deserved value,” said Joubert, adding that he cannot enter into a deal that he would not benefit from.
“I have tried to convene meetings with the ministry but all attempts were in vain. I am still waiting to meet the prime minister,” said Joubert, who is currently in South Africa.
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