A serious land ownership dispute has broken out in Katima Mulilo between local businessman Harris Maswau and a Chinese investor representing Wenxi Investment.
At the center of the conflict is a valuable commercial plot located between Natis and the Petrosol service station. Both parties claim to have legally acquired the land from the Katima Mulilo Town Council and possess documents to support their ownership.
Maswau, a Namibian garage owner, said he bought the land in 2020 for about N$680,000, paying N$300 per square meter. According to him, the deal was signed off by the town council’s CEO and was meant to be a new location for his business after being forced to move in 2006 due to complaints from a nearby school.
“I was given this plot in 2020 and I have the papers to prove it. But now a Chinese company is building on the same land without my knowledge,” Maswau said.
Maswau has begun relocating his garage to the disputed site, saying he has waited long enough.
On the other hand, a Chinese investor known only as Junior, representing Wenxi Investment, said they also have official documents confirming their ownership. “I just saw these people yesterday moving their vehicles here. We bought the land from the council. I was told everything was resolved,” Junior said.
Maswau disagrees. He alleges that the council sold his plot, along with three others, to Wenxi Investment. He also raised concerns about pricing, claiming he was charged N$300 per square meter while the Chinese company only paid N$10 per square meter.
“This is not only about land. It’s about fairness. I had to let go of workers when I lost my previous place. Now I’m fighting for my business and for them,” he said.
Despite the documents Maswau holds, Katima Mulilo Town Council CEO Raphael Liswaniso said he was unaware of any dispute.
“I don’t know of any land issue,” Liswaniso said. “The only official owner of that plot is Wenxi Investment. No one has come to my office with this complaint.”
The dispute has raised questions about transparency in land allocation and sparked community concerns over how local businesses are treated compared to foreign investors.
