Okahandja businessman trapped in ‘illegal’ land deal

A businessman from Okahandja has allegedly illegally fenced off and started construction on a property at the town, despite municipal records confirming someone else is the rightful registered owner.

Shako Mutilifa has begun construction on Erf 167 at Okahandja’s Oshetu 3 informal settlement, despite municipal records confirming the property remains legally registered under Susanna Morkel.

Okahandja chief executive Alphons Tjitombo has confirmed that the municipality’s records show only Morkel as the property’s legal owner, The erf was originally allocated to Morkel in 2010, who erected a temporary structure and lived there for several years.

She later temporarily moved to Windhoek for medical treatment, leaving her then partner to manage the property.

During her absence, her partner reportedly placed lodgers on the site and has since died.

Upon her return in 2021, Morkel discovered that the erf had been fenced off, with pallet bricks placed there for construction without her consent.

Community activist Johannes Gaseb has raised the matter with the municipality.

“She was shocked to find that her erf had been fenced off with pallet bricks on site,” he says.

Receipts attached to the complaint indicate that Morkel made payments of N$5 000 on 25 August 2000 and N$100 on 10 February 2010, while a municipal receipt lists her as the property’s registered owner.

Neighbours reportedly informed Morkel that Mutilifa was responsible for the construction.

Gaseb says he then contacted Mutilifa, who said he had bought the plot, but refused to reveal who the seller was. The activist describes the transaction as irregular.

“This situation raises serious questions about how such a transaction could occur while the rightful owner’s name remains on record and without her consent,” Gaseb says.

He urges the municipality to investigate urgently, saying resolving the matter would safeguard residents’ rights and maintain public trust in land allocation processes.

Gaseb further says the matter poses a broader concern about the integrity of land administration at informal settlements.

Mutilifa yesterday declined to comment.

“I have no comment on that. I have lawyers,” he said.

Approached for comment, Tjitombo said Morkel is the only documented owner of the property and requested that evidence be provided if allocation to another person had occurred.

“Kindly furnish us the evidence in terms of records at your disposal that indicates that the council at any stage allocated the said plot to two different individuals,” he said yesterday.

The municipality and town planning department were approached for clarification, but have declined to comment.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.