Sostenus Wilherm
Moses //Garoëb’s development drive is being affected by vandalism, with stolen cables, broken communal taps and illegal electricity connections forcing the City of Windhoek to spend money fixing damage instead of expanding services.
Speaking at a public meeting in the constituency on Saturday, City of Windhoek councillor Jesaya Ikali warned that the destruction of municipal infrastructure is becoming a serious threat to development and improved service delivery.
“Vandalism stalls development, as resources that could have been used to fund further development and improve services are instead being redirected towards repairing and replacing vandalised municipal infrastructure,” Ikali said.
The council has recorded several incidents of vandalism in the constituency, including the breaking and theft of communal taps, theft of copper electricity cables and damage to other municipal infrastructure.
Ikali said the problem places an additional financial burden on the municipality at a time when it is working to upgrade informal settlements and improve living conditions for thousands of residents.
He particularly raised concern over electricity theft and illegal connections, which he said damages municipal infrastructure while exposing residents to potentially fatal safety risks.
The concerns were echoed by Wilhelm Kalimbo, the municipality’s informal electrification coordinator and liaison officer, who cautioned residents against making unsafe electricity connections.
Kalimbo said fatalities have already been recorded as a result of unsafe connections and urged residents to seek legal and safer alternatives rather than putting themselves and others at risk.
He also highlighted the difficulties the council faces when installing formal electricity infrastructure in informal settlements.
According to Kalimbo, some residents are unwilling to relocate when space is needed for electricity poles and related infrastructure, making it difficult for the local authority to safely extend electricity services.
He further warned residents against living directly underneath high-voltage electricity towers, stressing that such areas pose serious safety risks.
As the council works to improve access to electricity, solar power is also being promoted as a safer alternative for residents.
He added that residents of Moses //Garoëb and the wider Windhoek community can approach the municipality’s solar centre for advice on solar energy solutions.
The municipality has also established six solar ambassadors within the constituency to provide residents with information and guidance.
Despite the challenges posed by vandalism, illegal connections and settlement patterns, the council says significant progress is being made in upgrading the Moses //Garoëb constituency.
A total of 309 households relocated to Havana Extensions 8 and 11 are now seated according to approved and proposed township layouts.
The relocation is expected to improve road connectivity and create clearer routes for emergency vehicles, potentially strengthening the local authority’s ability to respond to fires and other emergencies in the area.
The upgrading programme also includes plans for five townships in the constituency. Three townships located on Farms 1028 and 1029 have already been approved and recommended by council.
The developments form part of broader efforts to move residents from informal settlement conditions towards properly planned neighbourhoods with improved access to municipal services and infrastructure.
However, Ikali warned that these gains could be undermined if municipal infrastructure continues to be vandalised.
He stated that development requires cooperation from the communities it is intended to benefit. Protecting communal taps, electricity infrastructure and other municipal assets is therefore critical to ensuring that limited municipal resources are spent on expanding services rather than repairing preventable damage.
He encouraged residents to use legal channels and engage with officials about available electrification and solar options.
