Karasburg land lease agreements due month-end

Karasburg residents who are beneficiaries of erven have until the end of the month to sign their lease agreements, or they could lose their plots to other beneficiaries.

This is according to a notice seen by The Namibian issued last Thursday.

“Failure to comply with this notice by 30 January, including the non-payment of the required monthly instalment, will result in the reallocation of the respective erven to other beneficiaries without further notice,” reads the notice.

The erven are part of the Karasburg zoning scheme which commenced in 2023.

According to the notice, about 93 beneficiaries have either not signed their lease agreements nor collected their permission to occupy (PTO) certificates, while others have not settled the monthly instalment of N$200.

As a result, beneficiaries have until month end to sign their lease agreements, collect their PTO and settle outstanding arrears incurred since the lease agreements.

Karasburg acting chief executive Stephanus Fleermuys told The Namibian last Friday that the management committee met last Thursday but more meetings are still expected to take place.

“Unfortunately, I cannot give any update now as we have not sat down with the management committee and we are waiting for feedback from them,” said Fleermuys.

He said until the process is finalised he cannot divulge further information and once such information is made available the council will provide an update.

Fleermuys said they are only reminding beneficiaries who are already part of the process to play their part, comply with the procedures and present detailed documentation to the management committee.

Fleermuys said the erven in question are surveyed, meaning beneficiaries will never be removed.

He said the council looked at the local economic development aspects to make it affordable for residents.

“It is an unserviced plot, but the council decided to look at the dire needs of the people and once people get their deeds of ownership they will be protected by council, but people need to come forth before month end as per the notice,” Fleermuys urged.

Former Karasburg mayor Maria Veldskoen says the programme has strengthened town planning, land administration and compliance with statutory requirements, while laying a foundation for sustainable development and improved service delivery.

“For residents and beneficiaries, the signing of lease agreements and the issuing of PTO provided security of tenure, legal recognition and dignity,” she says.

Veldskoen says it reduced uncertainty around land occupation and created opportunities for future development and access to services.

She adds that it was a step towards structured growth, stability and trust between the council and the community.

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