Lahja Nashuuta
Opuwo Town Council CEO Matjaandjara Katurota has called on relocated Ouranda residents still awaiting compensation to remain patient.
She said the current budget cannot cover all affected households.
Katurota made the remarks this week after residents petitioned the Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa, accusing the town council of unfair treatment, favouritism and delays in processing their compensation.
In an interview with New Era, she, who took office two years ago, confirmed that the relocation exercise began in 2019, and that compensation has been provided in various forms.
This includes building materials, houses and monetary payments.
“I found the process already underway when I assumed office. My first task was to study who had benefitted and who was still waiting. I requested N$8.4 million from the ministry, but only N$4.4 million was allocated,” Katurota said.
“With those funds, we prioritised people whose houses stood in the middle of planned roads to allow for construction. So far, we have compensated the first group to the tune of N$1 million. We are now preparing to compensate the second group, focusing on those who have already relocated,” she added.
Katurota assured that all eligible beneficiaries will be compensated once more funds become available.
A community meeting will be convened soon with the community to pave way forward with regards to compensation.
Residents cries
Despite these assurances, around 300 families relocated from Ouranda to Katutura Extension 5 say they feel betrayed by broken promises and poor communication.
They claim that, when nearly 400 residents were moved in 2019 to make way for development, they were told the new plots would be free and that they would only pay for services such as water and waste removal.
Among the grievances raised are unequal compensation payments, unfinished houses and exclusion errors. According to residents, only 15 households received compensation in April 2025. Most say they were not even asked to sign for what they received.
“We don’t know what formula was used. Some people got more, others less, while many got nothing at all,” another resident complained.
Others say they were forcibly removed from land now occupied by the Opuwo Open Market without transport, assistance or compensation. Only five households reportedly received limited building materials.
Residents further accused the town council of failing to hold a single public meeting to explain the process.
Some even discovered they were listed as owing debts for their new plots, despite earlier promises that the land would be free.
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development reportedly allocated N$3.4 million for compensation. However, residents allege that only a fraction of that money has reached them.
Petition
Last week, 41 residents signed a petition to Sankwasa, demanding an independent review of the relocation and compensation process.
“We want the minister to meet us face-to-face, investigate how the funds were used and explain clearly who qualified and who was left out,” the petition states.
The community also requested a public meeting where the council and ministry can give direct answers about the status of their plots, compensation and debts.
“Honourable minister, we cannot build our future if there are no trust and fairness from the council. We ask for your urgent intervention,” the petition adds.
Sankwasa has not yet responded publicly, but residents said they remain hopeful he will step in.