Koës Village Secretary lodges for free

KOÃ’¹S Village Secretary James Christiaans has lived free of charge in a council house for the past four years despite receiving a housing allowance of N$2 760, The Namibian has established.

Reports that Christiaans had not paid rent since 2004 have sparked outrage among some villagers, who accuse the Council of double standards. For his part, Christians has said he was protecting the house against vandalism and had started renovating it.”How is it possible that the best-paid man at the village lives free of charge in a council house,” Swapo activits, Jomo Khachab, said angrily.When approached Christiaans acknowledged that he had not paid rent since moving into the house.The Namibian was informed that the Village Council at its meeting last Monday resolved to charge Christiaans rent of N$700 a month from the end of July.But Christiaans claimed that he had offered to pay rent of N$500 a month after renovating the house in March.The work is set to be completed next month.Christiaans said he had paid between N$800 and N$900 a month for water, electricity and other council services.For his part, Christians has said he was protecting the house against vandalism and had started renovating it.”How is it possible that the best-paid man at the village lives free of charge in a council house,” Swapo activits, Jomo Khachab, said angrily.When approached Christiaans acknowledged that he had not paid rent since moving into the house.The Namibian was informed that the Village Council at its meeting last Monday resolved to charge Christiaans rent of N$700 a month from the end of July.But Christiaans claimed that he had offered to pay rent of N$500 a month after renovating the house in March.The work is set to be completed next month.Christiaans said he had paid between N$800 and N$900 a month for water, electricity and other council services.