WALVIS BAY – Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has warned Namibians against land grabbing.

At the same time, he also told local authorities and regional councillors, as well as administrative staff, to deliver key services, such as land, in a timely manner to avoid further tragedies.

Sankwasa said this while paying a visit to the 14 victims whose shacks were destroyed during a fire early Wednesday morning in Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay.

The devastating shack fire claimed the lives of Beauty Guidao-Oas and her niece, Gloria Guibes (2), who could not be saved despite efforts from the community to rescue them from the fire.

The minister, who was in Swakopmund last week for a workshop with local authorities and regional councils, took time off his schedule to visit the family of the deceased as well as the victims, whom he assisted with necessities. According to Sankwasa, illegal land occupation is a serious threat to communities and public safety.

“Land grabbing is dangerous. If land is properly allocated, you get a certificate and follow up on the application. It also allows you to claim your land and get loans from the bank and even build a shack legally. When you grab land, it is not yours. It is not allocated to you,” he told the fire victims.

Sankwasa also took aim at municipal managers and officials, stressing the need for proper service delivery to prevent future tragedies.

According to him, managers for properties, streets and other services must take responsibility. They must provide proper reports.

“All of these must be managed properly. In situations like this, where are the ablution services? If services are not provided, people get sick. Cholera can break out. We cannot allow that,” he said. The minister also reminded councillors that the local authorities are the first line of service, and as such, services must be delivered without fear, favour or political bias.

“Our people have suffered too much. This suffering must stop. We cannot have people living like this in an independent Namibia. This is not what we fought for,” he said. He also appealed to residents to follow proper procedures when applying for land and said that the municipality must make land available in a timely manner.

“If you applied 15 or 20 years ago and got no response, we will demand an answer on your behalf. No one should wait decades for land,” he said.

Further, formalising informal settlements is crucial to improving the lives of residents, but land grabbing should be dealt with according to municipal bylaws.

“We did not get independence to destroy the country or make it lawless. We must manage properly. Formalising settlements allows people to live with dignity. Councillors must implement the regulations. Let people cry today and laugh tomorrow. Permanent happiness is better than temporary pleasure,” he said.

He then urged the group not to rebuild shacks again and seek a more temporary solution that will not put their lives at risk.

Meanwhile, the group of residents told New Era that they have been living at the plot for the past eight years. They settled at the plot during Covid-19, as they lost their jobs and had nowhere to go.They also said that the previous council allowed them to occupy the plot and installed water for them.

“Where must we go now? If we are not allowed to rebuild our shacks, the municipality and the minister must show us where we can stay,” they said.

The group is currently staying in tents that were provided to them for temporary shelter.

– edeklerk@nepc.com.na