Hertta- Maria Amutenja
Once a vibrant nightclub and matinee venue in Katutura, with a rich history as a popular spot for social gatherings and entertainment, Club Pamodzi has become a nightmare for the residents of Rykmansdorp in Katutura.
For the young people in Katutura, the place was known for its lively atmosphere, music, events, nightlife, and matinée.
However, since its closure in 2015, the building has fallen into disrepair and become a hotspot for criminal activities.
The lack of security has turned it into a dangerous place, causing significant concern among local residents.
This has created a sense of fear and insecurity among residents, who feel that their concerns are being ignored by the authorities.
The community’s concerns have intensified following an incident where a woman and her two sons were robbed at knifepoint near the site on Wednesday.
The woman, who lives in a nearby complex and spoke to the Windhoek Observer on condition of anonymity for fear that the attackers might return, voiced her frustration, saying this was not an isolated incident.
“I am not the first person from our complex to have been targeted near that building,” she said.
She criticised the authorities for not responding to their community’s cry to have the building either turned into an operational business or demolished.
“It’s like they are just waiting for something worse to happen before they take action. We’re scared, and we don’t feel safe here anymore. I’ve had enough—I’m planning to move out as soon as possible,” she said.
The building, previously known as Club Pamodzi, has been a cause of concern for years, attracting criminal activities ranging from robberies to assaults. The former nightclub and matinee venue today has no doors or windows, making it a perfect spot for criminal activities as there is no lighting or security around it.
The local community, frustrated by the lack of progress, is demanding that the authorities take decisive action to address the issue.
John Moonde, councillor for the John Pandeni Constituency, said efforts have been made to address the problem.
“We held three or more community meetings with the City Council, NamPol, and City Police at my office when these criminal activities were brought to my attention,” he said.
Moonde added that he met with the building’s owner in 2022, who promised to rehabilitate the structure into a shop.
“Unfortunately, up to now, the building is just harbouring robbers,” Moonde added.
Moonde emphasised the need for the City Council to enforce its bylaws.
“What is needed in this case is for the City Council to enforce its bylaws and bring the owner of the building to book, while the police keep patrolling around the building as they occasionally do,” he said.
The City of Windhoek acknowledged the issue through spokesperson Harold Akwenye but noted the limitations they face with privately owned properties around the city.
“The City of Windhoek has specific regulations for the maintenance of private properties, but our ability to intervene is limited. We engage with property owners to address safety concerns,” Akwenye said.
He added that while there are no immediate plans to secure or repurpose the building, discussions with the owner are ongoing.
When reached for comment, the building’s former owner, Silvanus Hauwanga, said that he had sold the property last week and signed it off to a new owner.
“The new owners are currently busy sorting that out,” Hauwanga said,
He directed any further inquiries to himself but declining to comment further on the matter
The Namibian Police did not respond to queries sent before publishing this article.
