Adolf Kaure
The City of Windhoek Municipal Council will provide interim administrative support relief and development permissions for residents of the Groot-Aub Peri-Urban area.
This was discussed during an ordinary council agenda meeting held recently in Windhoek.
The Groot-Aub peri-urban area, approximately 60km south of Windhoek in the Khomas region, falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the City and includes Groot-Aub Proper, Extension 1, Extension 2 and non-demarcated areas.
In 2018, a moratorium was imposed on all development and administrative approvals in Groot-Aub.
The moratorium, which is still in place, blocks residents from developing their properties or obtaining proof of residence, bank letters, or access to financial and agricultural services.
According to councillor Demetrio Beukes, the continued enforcement of the 2018 moratorium has caused socio-economic hardships for residents.
These include the inability to upgrade housing or construct new structures, lack of proof of occupancy affecting banking and grant access, farmers unable to register livestock to obtain stock branding numbers and youth restricted from accessing student loans or other financial opportunities.
“Residents have been in this constrained situation for nearly eight years, despite many having occupied their erven for over 20 years. The moratorium has prevented them from the democratic right to self-development and improving living standards,” he said. “This motion seeks to provide interim administrative relief and conditional development permission while planning and tenure matters are finalised.”
He proposed that the council resolve the matter by allowing the Groot-Aub residents the opportunity to issue residency confirmation letters.
“That council mandates the administration to implement an interim mechanism for issuing official residency confirmation letters to verified residents of Groot-Aub for lawful administrative purposes, including opening bank accounts, applying for NGO grants, applying for educational loans (including NSFAF) and any lawful administrative requirement requiring proof of residence,” said Beukes.
The city also approved the authorisation for the issuance of confirmation letters to bona fide small-scale farmers in Groot-Aub for purposes of stock branding numbers, livestock registration and accessing agricultural support.
The confirmation letters are applicable to residents farming since early 2000 or prior, farmers relocated with valid movement permits and youth who inherited livestock from deceased parents or grandparents.
Additionally, the City has granted conditional permission to residents in Groot-Aub Proper, Extension 1 and Extension 2 to construct permanent structures, subject to approval of building plans or sketches, compliance with City building regulations and alignment with existing demarcation maps.
“Over 900 residents have occupied erven for over 20 years. Many existing houses are dilapidated, and residents are willing to comply with municipal regulations,” said Beukes.
Furthermore, council has granted conditional permission for precast or semi-permanent structures if the structures are removable if future planning requires relocation, no construction occurs on road reserves or prohibited zones and safety standards are met.
“These structures provide Groot-Aub residents with protection from dust, insects and reptiles. They also have improved insulation during winter (up to -6°C).
Additionally, they have better safety compared to corrugated iron structures and are affordable and reusable,” Beukes added.
The moratorium imposed in 2018 has prevented development and socio-economic growth for nearly eight years, leaving Groot-Aub residents remaining in developmental limbo.
The interim administrative support relief and development permissions for Groot-Aub peri-urban area residents provide them with balanced, lawful, humane interim solutions.
This enables financial inclusion, housing improvements, agricultural development, and dignity for residents while broader tenure and planning processes continue.