Martin Endjala
The Ondangwa Town Council says that despite the circumstances no one is allowed to occupy land illegally.
The CEO of the council, Ismael Namgongo emphasized that the town council’s mandate is to provide land to its residents and the illegal occupying of land interferes with this mandate.
The CEO was speaking about the illegal occupation of land by Uupopo residents, stressing that no one will be given preferential treatment in this regard.
In an interview with the Windhoek Observer, Namgongo said that they are engage in dialogue with the Uupopo residents’ committee to find an amicable solution.
This follows Ondangwa Town Council Chief Executive Officer Ismael Namgongo has reiterated that despite the conundrums the Uupopo residents are facing, it is still an illegal practice to settle or occupy land illegally.
The Ondangwa Town Council has directed the residents to dismantle their structures or risk being forcibly removed as they are settled there illegally.
Namgongo in the interview indicated that the matter is very sensitive and therefore it must be treated as such for any action to be taken not to worsen the situation.
In a letter dated 3 August 2022 by a group calling themselves ‘Tired of Being Landless’ wrote to the
Ondangwa town council asking for permission to come and hold a demonstration at the town council’s office on the 9th of August.
In the letter they also enquired from the council why they should be removed if there is no alternative place to relocate them.
However, the demonstration never took place despite the town council in a letter dated 4 August indicating that the CEO, Mayor and councillors will not be available on the proposed dates and suggested to the group to rather do it on the 17th of August.
Consultations held proved to have made a breakthrough as the parties agreed to continue engaging each other, according to the CEO.
Meanwhile, the Landless People’s Movement have condemned the Ondangwa Town Council for failing the community.
The party said in a statement dated 6 August 2022 that over 40 residents in Uupopo and surroundings are left with more questions on the seriousness of council when it comes to service delivery, as they are now relegated to begging for a right to own land to live on.
This the party said are situational trends at other towns like Rundu and Okahao among others, where political office bearers have allegedly become inaccessible to the electorate after they have been elected into office.
LPM cautioned residents that the trend will continue if they do not elect political office bearers who can respond to their needs.
