The Gobabis municipality says it will formally receive a community petition opposing the proposed sale of 100 residential erven at Extension Six on Friday, while maintaining it has not taken a position on the matter.
In a response letter dated 5 August to community activist Josefina Bailey, mayor Elwin Gariseb confirms that the council will receive the petition at 14h00 despite prior official commitments.
Bailey had informed the municipality that residents intend to hand over more than 10 objection letters against the proposed sale, urging the council to reconsider the transaction before a final decision is made.
“Residents believe the erven should instead be allocated to qualifying Gobabis residents with the financial capacity to build their own homes,” she says.
She says this would promote equitable access to land and sustainable local development.
Gariseb says the Local Authorities Act requires objections to the disposal of municipal land to be submitted in writing after a public notice has been issued.
Gariseb, however, notes that the community intends to submit a petition rather than formal objections.
“The council’s attendance is solely for the formal receipt of the petition and must not be construed as an objection to, or an expression of the council’s position on the matters raised in the petition,” Gariseb says.
He adds that the petition will be processed in accordance with applicable legislative and administrative procedures.
The mayor’s response was copied to the minister of urban and rural development, the Omaheke regional governor, the regional police commander, the municipality’s management committee chairperson and all Gobabis councillors.
