RUNDU - The Rundu Town Council, through its mayor Gabriel Kanyanga, hit back at Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi after a scathing critique of the council.

In early March, Swartbooi ridiculed the council for not having their own office, and labelled them as “weak, whining wimps with no capacity to fight a good fight to get the town and residents what they deserve”.

The LPM raised several concerns related to the town’s infrastructure, as well as access to land.

Swartbooi also criticised the council for allowing the eviction of a pensioner at the town.

“The fact is, Rundu town did not evict anyone, and we remain committed to our electorate,’’ the mayor noted.

Ihemba’s case

Kanyanga explained: “Magaritta Ihemba is an old resident of Rundu, way back before independence. Once upon a time, she housed a student teacher. After this student teacher completed his studies, he secured a job. He then built a permanent structure at the plot, with the permission of the plot occupant.”  

In 2012, this young teacher sold his structure to someone, who is currently the owner.  “After the new owner bought this structure, she thought the old owner (the young teacher by then) would shift out with everyone she found at the plot, which was not the case. On her own, she failed to get them to go away. She compromised to divide her portion, and it didn’t materialise. She then went through court to claim what’s due to her,’’ added Kanyanga.

Ihemba’s family is adamant that their plot was sold secretly with the help of a council official.

The family informed New Era that the council, when they consolidated the plot, decided to give the land where the pensioner lived to the person with a permanent structure, as the space where the permanent structure stood was small. Since they had temporary structures, they did not consider them.

“When we learned about it as a council during our term of office, we were advised by our attorney that it is out of our hands already. As a council, we did not end there by looking at the remaining portion which was too small. We resolved in a council meeting to give them another plot, with transportation of their belongings. We send our staff to clear the new land and connect water on the new area,’’ Kanyanga said.  

The pensioner has since been living with the neighbours, who are also her family members. She is, however, unable to move because her roof sheets and poles were destroyed, and can’t also afford to buy new ones.

The family has requested good Samaritans to assist.

“It could not harm Swartbooi and others spreading unfounded statements to research on any matter they want to share with the public. Using words to insult others shows your weaknesses to your followers. Therefore, any further unfounded statements on this matter will prompt us to ask you to prove your allegations before a court of law, and ask you to pay damages,” the mayor stated.

Not useless

Kanyanga said given the limited financial capacity of the council, they have outdone themselves with all the current developmental activities which have been taking place within the town of Rundu. 

“The informed will attest that we have transformed the situation within the town, as opposed to the past. Cognisance should also be registered that council depends on funds collected from the community to advance the development agenda further, but our records show that our people owe council more than N$370 million, a point they did not mention,’’ he said.

Kanyanga also revealed that the town is rehabilitating its roads. 

“Of course, the funds define the extent of our commitment. The Elizabeth Nepemba and Maria Mwengere roads are under light rehabilitation as we speak, as well as the upgrading of Joseph Haingura Mise Road from gravel to bitumen standard (phase one), that is in addition to the rehabilitation of Markus Siwarongo Street,’’ he noted. 

Kanyanga said they have attended to the town’s roads infrastructure, and shall continue to keep the momentum, regardless of the non-appreciative sections of society. 

“Allow me to highlight that the population of Rundu has outgrown the infrastructure to cater for them. NamWater can attest that the demand has superseded their supply. Hence, council drilled several boreholes to reduce the deficit, and we will continue to do so until the deficit is at a minimum. We are referring to actual things that we have done and are on the ground, not intangible narratives. We will get to all areas; we are implementing based on the availability of resources,’’ he continued. 

Despite submitting project identification forms to the National Planning Commission through the line ministry, they get insufficient budgets, he said.

Thus, they are forced to make do with what they have.

“We must live with what we have. However, we got a go-ahead finally after so many years of pleading. The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has approved funding for the design and tender documentation of a new office to be constructed on erf 1212, for which the design was presented to council already. We await a budget allocation and anticipate groundbreaking soon, should the funds be availed,’’ he added.

-jmuyamba@nepc.com.na