City probes Dolam situation

THE City of Windhoek says it cannot accept responsibility for losses suffered by the 14 families at Dolam location in Katutura whose homes were flooded last week until it is proven that construction work caused the flood.

The Municipality’s public relations officer, Liz Sibindi, says city engineers are investigating the cause of the flood. “We cannot say anything yet until our engineers give us proof.Assessments are still underway,” she said.Dolam residents claim that the problem was caused by the construction of the Sam Nujoma Stadium, which they say rerouted the flow of a river too close to their homes.Last week, a local human rights organisation says the City of Windhoek should take full responsibility for the losses suffered by the 14 families at Dolam.”Preliminary on-site inspections of the disaster show that flooding was caused by faulty civil engineering design and drainage system during the construction of the Sam Nujoma Stadium,” National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) spokesperson Nadia Ihuhua said.Ihuhua said companies that were involved in the construction of the stadium should also be investigated to ascertain whether civil or criminal negligence charges could be instituted against them.”Because rivers flowing into Dolam are commonly used as toilets in Okahandja Park and other sections of Katutura, we fear that victims could be exposed to dangerous diseases such as cholera,” said Ihuhua.The 14 Dolam families who had to evacuate their homes, numbering about 130 people, are now being housed in the football stadium.Relief organisations have donated food and other necessities.”We cannot say anything yet until our engineers give us proof.Assessments are still underway,” she said.Dolam residents claim that the problem was caused by the construction of the Sam Nujoma Stadium, which they say rerouted the flow of a river too close to their homes.Last week, a local human rights organisation says the City of Windhoek should take full responsibility for the losses suffered by the 14 families at Dolam.”Preliminary on-site inspections of the disaster show that flooding was caused by faulty civil engineering design and drainage system during the construction of the Sam Nujoma Stadium,” National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) spokesperson Nadia Ihuhua said.Ihuhua said companies that were involved in the construction of the stadium should also be investigated to ascertain whether civil or criminal negligence charges could be instituted against them.”Because rivers flowing into Dolam are commonly used as toilets in Okahandja Park and other sections of Katutura, we fear that victims could be exposed to dangerous diseases such as cholera,” said Ihuhua.The 14 Dolam families who had to evacuate their homes, numbering about 130 people, are now being housed in the football stadium.Relief organisations have donated food and other necessities.