SWAKOPMUND –The destruction of a tuckshop in the Hakahana informal settlement in Omaruru has sparked outrage, with residents condemning the Omaruru Municipality for the action.

Videos circulating on social media yesterday showed how a front-end loader digs into the tuckshop, while shocked residents watched the destructions.

Another video shows food items scattered all over the ground after the destruction of the shack by the municipality.

The tuck shop belongs to Julius Shapange, who claims that the land on which the tuck shop is located was previously allocated to his uncle.

He alleged that the erf was given to his uncle, who invited him to set up the tuck shop and a shack on the property. However, two years ago, while he was in hospital, the land was allegedly reassigned to someone else, although he has ownership documents.

Shapange said he only discovered the reassignment when he applied for an operational licence for his business. 

He said several attempts to meet Omaruru CEO Valentinus Sindongo to resolve the issue were unsuccessful.

“We wanted to understand how the land was reassigned, but he was never available. Then, earlier this year, municipal authorities told me I had to vacate by 20 March,” he continued.

He requested an extension to relocate his business, but received no response.

“We never resisted moving. All we asked for was more time to find another place, but they never gave us that. Worse, they didn’t even warn me a day before or on the day of the demolition. They just showed up, ready to destroy.”

“I am unemployed. I was just trying to make a living, and now everything is gone—my stock, the materials I used to build the tuck shop, my money, my energy—everything wasted,” a frustrated Shapange told New Era.

Concerned Omaruru constituency councillor Ernest Wetha yesterday expressed concern over the incident, saying it was disappointing that a young person had lost his income in this manner.

“We already have a high unemployment rate, and council needs to see how they can assist rather than exacerbate the situation,” said the councillor, who was attending a management committee meeting in Swakopmund.

Municipality responds

 Sindongo yesterday confirmed the incident, but said the council had been in discussions with the two parties occupying the erf.

“There was an issue as the erf had two owners—one of whom was there illegally. We had been consulting with both owners. The rightful owner has been paying for the plot, while the other—the uncle of Shapange—has not been paying. Council resolved to allocate a different erf to Shapange’s uncle, who also agreed to move to the newly-allocated plot,” Sindongo stated. He added that Shapange was informed not to construct his tuck shop due to the ownership dispute.

“He knew about the relocation, as they were given time and were notified. We also visited the erf prior to the demolition, and took the initial owner to the plot he was relocated to,” Sindongo said.

He alleged that the tuck shop owner was there as well, and he admitted in front of the police that they would move. 

“We agreed that they would move today, and that we would assist them. However, the initial owner requested time until Saturday so that we could also assist him with transport,” Sindongo noted.

He further stated that they continue to face challenges with residents who do not follow municipal regulations.

“We have another issue with a resident who built a house in the middle of the road, making it difficult to bring services such as water and electricity to informal settlements,” he said. Sindongo emphasised that the relocation was necessary, as the rightful owner of the erf wanted to start construction.

New Era understands that Shapange planned to open a case against the municipality yesterday.

edeklerk@nepc.com