War veterans challenge crackdown as ‘colonisation’
The message on the prohibition sign is clear: No urinating, defecating. Offenders will be prosecuted.
And the whips are hard to miss.
Security guards hired by the Oshakati Town Council are wielding the whips, making sure the public complies with the regulation against urinating and defecating in public at the open market, also known as Omatala.
Just a week ago, members of the public routinely disappeared behind the sand embankment to relieve themselves in the open.
Now the guards are watching the area closely to catch anyone in the act.
When traders and those visiting Omatala approach the embankment, they are told to turn around and use the public toilets instead for N$2 at a time.
Security guards who spoke to The Namibian yesterday on condition of anonymity said some war veterans are not taking kindly to being told where they can and cannot answer the call of nature.
“People comply now, but we have a problem with some of the war veterans,” a guard said.
“They tell us ‘We fought for this country. Where were you when we were fighting for independence?’,” he said.
The guard, who asked not to be named, said some veterans continue to urinate in the area despite being instructed to use the public toilets.
He said some have accused the guards of trying to control or oppress them.
“They say we are colonising them,” he said.
For the guards, however, the instruction is simple.
“We are just doing our job,” he said.
DIFFERENT MARKET
Three signs have been erected near the embankment warning.
The council’s intervention follows a report by The Namibian last month highlighting open defecation and urination around the market.
At the time, traders complained that a N$3 toilet fee was contributing to the problem, particularly for people who spend long hours at the market.
Now, according to traders, the situation has improved. Kapana vendor Milka Shivute welcomes the deployment of guards.
“The security guards were deployed about three weeks ago,” she says.
She says the toilet fee has been reduced from N$3 to N$2.
Shivute believes the presence of guards has discouraged people from using the open area.
‘THEY GET WHIPPED’
Another trader, Petrus Hanyedaula, claims the guards whip people caught relieving themselves in the open.
This allegation could not be independently verified.
Hanyedaula says those who cannot afford the N$2 toilet fee have not disappeared.
“They go very far from the open market,” he says.
This shows reducing the toilet fee has not completely solved the problem, he says.
AWARE OF ALLEGATIONS
The Oshakati Town Council has previously said the N$3 fee contributes towards the cleaning, maintenance and operation of the public toilets.
Spokesperson Martin Kapuka yesterday said security guards deployed at the open market have whips as part of their security equipment.
“However, the council does not condone the improper or unlawful use of such equipment against members of the public,” he said.
Kapuka said the town council is aware of allegations regarding the use of whips by security guards, but no formal complaint has been received.
“Should any complaint be lodged, the council will consider the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.
He said the security guards have been deployed at the open market since last September as part of the council’s efforts to maintain safety, security and general order at the facility.
“More recently, the security personnel were called to order and directed to reinforce the enforcement of the applicable market rules and regulations, particularly in response to conduct that affects the cleanliness, safety and orderly use of the market.
“This is intended to ensure the market remains a clean, safe and orderly environment for traders, customers and members of the public,” Kapuka said.
Asked about reports of war veterans challenging the guards, the spokesperson said the council is aware of the reports.
“However, the council is not in a position to confirm the specific incident or statement.”
Kapuka said the town council respects all members of the community and their contribution to the country.
“At the same time, the rules governing the use of public facilities apply equally to everyone,” he said.
