KAYOVA – Villagers within the vicinity of Kayova River Lodge are calling for the head of lodge manager Giel Hough, who stands accused of being racist.The villages are also baying for the removal of Hough’s wife, Luisa, who is accused of the same crime.

Kayova River Lodge is in the Ndiyona constituency in Kavango East.

The villagers also claim Hough has diverted a community development project into self-enrichment at their expense.

“He treats his fellow white visitors with honesty and respect while non-whites are being ignored. Food is being prepared according to the visitor’s skin colour. Sometimes, visitors give gifts and tips to workers, but it does not reach us; the manager keeps them for himself – and whenever a staff member loses a relative, the manager will not grant permission to let that member attend the funeral,’’ narrated Dala Alponso, who read the petition on behalf of the community last week.

The project was founded by a late Catholic priest, Klaus Denner, in 2003. The initial plan of the Kavango Community Development Foundation, under which the lodge was established, was for community development.

However, the foundation has allegedly moved away from its foundational pillars, the petitioners claimed.

About a fortnight ago, nearby villagers from Hoha, Rucara and Katere, including from Kayova, held a peaceful demonstration, where they submitted their petition to Ndiyona constituency councillor Laurentius Mukoya, who promised to take up the matter.

“We are writing this letter to register our disappointment regarding how Mr Giel Hough and Mrs Luisa Hough are managing the lodge. It is very clear how they diverted the project from its initial plan. The target was the implementation of the kindergarten, water project and orphanage. The previous manager, before Hough took over, was working closer to the initial plan of the project. When Hough took over, it was completely diverted from its initial plans into self-enrichment,’’ Alphonso said.

“The management is also known for manipulating the community that they [are] supposed to develop, including the family that owns the land. The management also has disconnected water in the community, the water project is not running transparently, since the community doesn’t know how much they are collecting monthly and how much we are spending on electricity to pump water. The management also deliberately decides not to buy units to pump water if they have issues with an individual,’’ the letter read.

The villagers also said the manager of the lodge has no regard for the traditional authority in the village and does not attend meetings when summoned.

“The community agreed that the current management under the supervision of Mr Giel Hough and Mrs Luisa Hough should leave the Kavango Community Development Foundation project with immediate effect. Otherwise, the lodge is going to be temporarily closed,” they threatened.

Employees at the lodge furthermore complained about poor working conditions, saying they are insulted by their bosses, who threaten to terminate their employment when they stand up for their rights.

“He practices favouritism, calling some individuals stars, and some stupid and dull. Our leave days are being fixed by the boss – not by ourselves. Even when our children get sick, we are not allowed to look after them properly. He determines when you can be off,’’ they said.

Hough declined to comment on the matter.

- jmuyamba@nepc.com.na