‘Nekundi must come drag us out’

Illegal occupants of Govt flats defy minister’s order to vacate

IllegaL tenants occupying government houses and flats have challenged the government to physically remove them from the properties, saying they have nowhere to go.

This comes after minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi earlier ordered all illegal occupants and pensioners to vacate the premises by today or face a penalty of N$10 500 plus 20% interest per month.

Nekundi said the houses are no longer suitable for occupation.

His directive follows complaints from government-employed tenants who claim non-government employees have taken over the houses and flats, forcing some civil servants to live in shacks.

The occupants, however, say they have no alternative housing and therefore cannot comply with the order.

“If he wants us out, he must come drag us out, but even if he does, we will camp in front of his office and house,” says Bonny Sakaria (29).

Sakaria, who stays at government houses in Eros, Windhoek, says the rain has made it difficult to consider relocating.

“I cannot leave. Do they want me to die in the rain like my brother who died in the river last year? He was found at Goreangab. Where should me and my siblings go now? I cannot go live in the rain,” he says.

Sakaria calls on the government to provide the occupants with jobs or small dwellings, saying they can only move out if they have other accommodation.

There are 48 rooms at the Eros accommodation space, with more than 150 tenants.

Another tenant, Vilnos Isaaks, says he is an orphan with nowhere to go.

He says he shares a small room, originally meant for cleaners, with three people.

Isaaks wants to know who would occupy the houses if the illegal occupants were evicted.

“This is the only safe haven we have. Why not only remove those involved in illegal activities, like selling alcohol or connecting electricity unlawfully?” he asks.

Isaaks warns that forced eviction would leave the group with no choice but to protest.

“If they remove us by force, we will take our luggage to his [Nekundi’s] house, because it will get wet in the rain. I lived in an orphanage, and I was kicked out when I turned 21.

“I ended up living under a bridge until I found this place,” he says.

POOR CONDITIONS

The Namibian yesterday visited various government houses at Eros, Ausspannplatz, and those near the Namibia University of Science and Technology.

The premises were found to be in poor condition, with litter scattered throughout.

At Eros, illegal electricity connections were visible, and the surroundings reeked of alcohol. The environment is unhygienic, with pools of stagnant water.

The Namibian last month reported that the Khomas region has the highest number of illegal government housing occupants with 79, followed by the Otjozondjupa region with eight illegally occupied units, as well as 48 units illegally occupied by retired officials.

The Kavango East region has 30 verified cases, while the ||Kharas region has 17, as well as 10 government units occupied by retired officials.

NO DOCUMENTS

A police officer staying at the government accommodation at Eros, who claimed she is authorised to stay there, said those occupants who do not work for the government are stealing its property and need to be removed.

Various occupants claiming to be there legally could, however, not produce the legal documents confirming this.

Some at Ausspannplatz called reporters “the government’s eyes”.

“My answer is simple, I am authorised to stay here, and from my understanding, only illegal tenants should leave,” a woman who was leaving for work yesterday said.

A tenant of the government flats near Nust said the only illegal tenant had moved out.

Others says they are not aware of the eviction notice.

Nekundi yesterday said all illegal tenants are required to hand over the keys to their accommodation to his office today.

He said everyone affected has been informed through both WhatsApp and eviction notices posted on the walls of the houses and flats.

“Failure to do so, they will be forcefully removed through legal processes. We have given them a choice to move voluntarily,” he said.

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