A dispute has erupted in the informal settlement of Tumweneni in the Kavango East region, with residents accusing the settlement committee of unilaterally allowing a Chinese company to cut down five mopane trees. This without the wider community being aware of the matter. However, Max Solar Power Trading cc, the Chinese company at the center of the controversy, denied any wrongdoing. Supervisor Peter Sandanda told Network Media Hub (NMH) that the company had simply helped remove the trees that were seen as harmful or an obstacle. "The committee approached us to help with trees that pose a threat to homes and roads. There was no financial exchange, it was simply an attempt to help the community," he said. According to Sandanda, the company is not involved in deforestation, but has agreed to help in specific cases where the removal of trees was necessary.