Stefanus Nashama
The Constituency Councillor of Ondobein the Ohangwena Region, Hilaria Ndjuluwa responded to a video circulating on social media platforms of three women seen fighting each other over a bag of drought food aid maize meal.
Ndjuluwa argued that vulnerable people are made to fight over basic necessities such as drought relief food to drive political agendas.
Ndjuluwa said this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Sunday.
“There is no need to grab food. And there is no hunger that can kill people in our constituency. Those that grab food do it for their own purposes which is to tarnish the name of the government,” she explained.
Ndjuluwa acknowledged that the incident captured on the video occurred in the Omunyekadhi village about two weeks ago.
The village is reported to have more than 300 households left vulnerable by the drought.
Ndjuluwa reiterated that there is no need for anyone to fight for food.
“Yes we understand that food is not enough for everyone but we should be self-disciplined and obey the order during the distribution of drought relief food,” she said.
According to Ndjuluwa, there is a project that mobilised for the distribution of omahangu in the constituency.
She added that the project only targets those who are in need of food in all villages.
“I am trying my best as councillor, but we cannot give food to everyone. There are those who are seriously in need, and those are the people targeted by the project,” she emphasised.
Ndjuluwa said some residents go to the centres where food are distributed when they are drunk, which causes chaos.
She also urged members of the committee to be fair when distributing food.
“There should be order when food is distributed. If the committee is not doing what is right it should be abolished and another one must be formed,” she said.
Ndjuluwa also advised that headmen be present when food is distributed to ensure that residents are kept in order.
An eyewitness, who spoke to Windhoek Observer on the condition of anonymity, said it was not the first time people were fighting over food.
The source pointed out that the problem comes with the list that is used to distribute food.
“Sometimes you find out that your name is not on the list and those people listed, are the ones that always receive food aid. This is where the problem comes,” explained the source.
The source claimed that at the same time, the committee members sometimes give food aid to their friends and relatives instead of giving it to those who are in need.
“The government should do more to ensure that food is enough to cater for many people since the village is big. Some people did not get food for four months. I think the problem is with the management that distribution of the food,” the source stressed.
Sebastian Ndeitunga, the Ohangwena regional governor could not be reached for comment.
