Over 100 grab land at Rundu
More than 100 people from the Kehemu and Kaisosi settlements at Rundu yesterday demarcated land for themselves at a former golf course near the Okavango River.
They started clearing the area from as early as 06:00.
Many said their pleas for land had fallen on deaf ears at the Rundu Town Council, forcing them to grab land to put up houses.
The land was in the past used as a golf course but is now a dumpsite for household waste.
The disgruntled residents argued that it would be better if they cleaned up the land and shared it among themselves.
The headwoman of Kehemu, Christine Kandambo Sakaria, who was present at the site, told Nampa they had been living near the river for many years but due to floods, they were told by the council in 2011 to move to higher ground.
“If people want to build their houses and live here, leave them alone,” she said.
Resident Munaye Engelbert said the area had become a hotbed of criminal activities, and that prompted them to divide up the land for themselves.
He said other settlements around the town were being extended but they were far from town centre; the former golf course was closer to town.
Police officers were called to the site to maintain order, while the headwoman and some residents were taken to the police station for questioning.
Rundu Town Council acting CEO Mathew Naironga said town councillors visited the site and told the people to follow procedure and not to take matters into their own hands.
He said the council was to meet yesterday evening to discuss the issue.
They started clearing the area from as early as 06:00.
Many said their pleas for land had fallen on deaf ears at the Rundu Town Council, forcing them to grab land to put up houses.
The land was in the past used as a golf course but is now a dumpsite for household waste.
The disgruntled residents argued that it would be better if they cleaned up the land and shared it among themselves.
The headwoman of Kehemu, Christine Kandambo Sakaria, who was present at the site, told Nampa they had been living near the river for many years but due to floods, they were told by the council in 2011 to move to higher ground.
“If people want to build their houses and live here, leave them alone,” she said.
Resident Munaye Engelbert said the area had become a hotbed of criminal activities, and that prompted them to divide up the land for themselves.
He said other settlements around the town were being extended but they were far from town centre; the former golf course was closer to town.
Police officers were called to the site to maintain order, while the headwoman and some residents were taken to the police station for questioning.
Rundu Town Council acting CEO Mathew Naironga said town councillors visited the site and told the people to follow procedure and not to take matters into their own hands.
He said the council was to meet yesterday evening to discuss the issue.
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