WINDHOEK – Gerson Uirab, 39, who has been washing cars in Daniel Munamava Avenue in Windhoek says he would be grateful if the Windhoek Municipality allocates him and his colleagues a permanent place within the central business district (CBD) to continue doing what they know best – washing and cleaning cars.
Uirab is just one of about 20 informal car washers, most of whom are homeless, who wash cars in Daniel Munamava Avenue and near the Supreme Court and High Court in town.
They have been fined and arrested numerous times for allegedly loitering in the municipal area.
“They (City Police) are saying that we cause potholes in the roads by washing cars. If they take us away from here where are we supposed to go? I spent 16 years in prison and when I came out I was taught how to wash cars. I do not want to turn into a criminal again,” said Uirab who hails from Karasburg.
Uirab explained further that the dishwashing liquid which he and his colleagues use to clean people’s cars apparently contains acid, as advised them by City Police officials.
But he countered: “If it has acid it must start with our hands first.” Also, it is alleged that the car washers are a nuisance to motorists parking their cars in the city, pestering them to wash their cars.
“We tell ourselves to stay away from criminal activities. You sometimes find that a person is drunk and still wants to wash cars, but he will not do a thorough job so we discourage each other from drinking on the job. Maybe that is why the police do not want us here. But we do not know any other job,” he said.
He supports his partner, children and grandmother with the money he makes from washing cars in the CBD. He makes up to N$1 200 per month, he said.
Unlike others, he sometimes goes home to Katutura where he lives to spend the money on his family. “I go home when I buy groceries for my family,” he said, adding that the car washers generally receive good support from car owners.
“Even those working in courts allow us to wash their cars. We have very good customers.”
Depending on how dirty a car is and how much washing the car needs, Uirab explained that they charge from N$25 upwards. “If it is only the car rims and tyres that must be cleaned I charge N$25,” the father of three said.
He says he does not want to be in the bad books of the law but does want officials to understand that he depends on washing cars for a living.
“Just on Friday a man was shot for grabbing a cellphone. I do not want that, that is why I am
By Alvine Kapitako