Confusion and fear reigned among Tsumeb residents who lease properties from the municipality after the council summoned them earlier this month.

Some feared they might be evicted. 

The municipality sent out a notice to residents residing in council properties to report to the offices until 3 May; failure to do so would cause disconnection of services as from Wednesday, 5 May.

Since then, rumour has been swirling that the plan was for the municipality to evict some people and then hand it over to others. 

Some have accused the municipality of trying to give them to their friends and relatives.

However, municipality’s acting CEO Karolina Damaseb rubbished the rumours. 

She told New Era the notice was sent to have a consultation between the occupants and council to determine whether the records reflect those who are occupying the properties.

“It has nothing to do with evictions but to consult people staying [living] there and verify whether details we have in the system are corresponding with the tenants’ credentials. 

“It’s to determine whether we have accounts registered on deceased people’s names, as people occupy properties while the legitimate person no longer exists. It’s a verification process,” explained Damaseb.

“Another thing is to review and renew the lease agreements, which is done on an annual basis. Due to Covid-19, we are unable to go to each house; hence, we requested them to come forth, so that we can conclude the renewal,” she added.

Furthermore, she said the disconnection threat is to compel would-be no-show individuals to come forth. 

Damaseb could, however, not say the lease amounts, saying the figure varies, depending on the size of the houses. 

She also did not state how many houses in total are leased out. 

- osimasiku@nepc.com.na