Municipality warns illegal squatters
Residents voluntarily vacate illegally occupied land
Walvis Bay residents were advised to join existing organised housing groups or form new groups and follow the appropriate channels to apply for land.
The Walvis Bay municipality has warned members of the public against illegally occupying municipal land and land reserved for streets and public open spaces, especially in Kuisebmond.
This follows a recent meeting held by representatives from the municipality, local authority councillors and as well as Walvis Bay rural constituency regional councillor Florian Donatus.
The discussions were aimed at engaging residents who unlawfully erected structures at Extensions 8 and 9 in Kuisebmond.
Residents were informed why they cannot claim or settle on land that rightfully belongs to a third party.
Take the legal route
According to the municipality, it was discovered that most of the structures were unoccupied and that some of the residents had already been allocated land at Farm 37.
"During the discussion, residents were also informed that they could join existing organised groups or form new organised groups and follow the appropriate channels to apply for land.
“Being part of registered or legalised groups will enable the residents to save money and eventually place them in a position where they can collectively purchase a block of erven, on which they can build affordable types of housing," read a statement issued by the municipality.
Additionally, the residents were linked up with existing groups with the option of joining them.
Organised groups can be formed by registering members who are not landowners and then legalising the group by registering it with BIPA Namibia as a non-profit organisation (NGO), the municipality advised.
Peaceful retreat
Cautionary advice was given to residents during the group formation process, emphasising the importance of working with trustworthy members due to the financial transactions involved. Most residents expressed understanding, voluntarily dismantled their structures, and vacated the area. After these residents left, the roads and building control department assisted in cleaning the area.
"No personal belongings of residents were destroyed during this process," the statement read.
"It is worth noting that the council has successfully collaborated with organised groups in the past and allocated land at Farm 37 to groups such as The Backyard Tenants, Shack Dweller Federation and The Seafarers. The council remains committed to delivering land but emphasises the need for an organised approach. We therefore look forward to working with residents as well as the business community to meet the housing needs of residents," the statement read.
This follows a recent meeting held by representatives from the municipality, local authority councillors and as well as Walvis Bay rural constituency regional councillor Florian Donatus.
The discussions were aimed at engaging residents who unlawfully erected structures at Extensions 8 and 9 in Kuisebmond.
Residents were informed why they cannot claim or settle on land that rightfully belongs to a third party.
Take the legal route
According to the municipality, it was discovered that most of the structures were unoccupied and that some of the residents had already been allocated land at Farm 37.
"During the discussion, residents were also informed that they could join existing organised groups or form new organised groups and follow the appropriate channels to apply for land.
“Being part of registered or legalised groups will enable the residents to save money and eventually place them in a position where they can collectively purchase a block of erven, on which they can build affordable types of housing," read a statement issued by the municipality.
Additionally, the residents were linked up with existing groups with the option of joining them.
Organised groups can be formed by registering members who are not landowners and then legalising the group by registering it with BIPA Namibia as a non-profit organisation (NGO), the municipality advised.
Peaceful retreat
Cautionary advice was given to residents during the group formation process, emphasising the importance of working with trustworthy members due to the financial transactions involved. Most residents expressed understanding, voluntarily dismantled their structures, and vacated the area. After these residents left, the roads and building control department assisted in cleaning the area.
"No personal belongings of residents were destroyed during this process," the statement read.
"It is worth noting that the council has successfully collaborated with organised groups in the past and allocated land at Farm 37 to groups such as The Backyard Tenants, Shack Dweller Federation and The Seafarers. The council remains committed to delivering land but emphasises the need for an organised approach. We therefore look forward to working with residents as well as the business community to meet the housing needs of residents," the statement read.
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