Tensions high at Wlotzka meeting

A MEETING between the Erongo Regional Council (ERC) and residents at Wlotzkasbaken on Friday did little to settle a long-standing dispute between the two parties.

The ERC’s written invitation to the meeting indicated that the development of the area, as well as issues related to lease agreements would be on the agenda. After about an hour of strained discussions, throughout which Chairman of the National Council Asser Kapere diplomatically kept a lid on clearly boiling emotions, the meeting was abruptly adjourned by ERC Governor Samuel Nuuyoma.Claims surfaced in the media earlier this year that prime seafront properties at Wlotzka had been awarded to certain top-ranking Government officials through underhanded deals.In April, the Afrikaans daily Republikein reported on a list naming some political high flyers and business people to whom former ERC Chief Executive Officer Tsudisa !Gonteb had allegedly dished out properties.This allegation was denied more than once on Friday by ERC officials.When asked by some residents whether such a list existed, a clearly annoyed Nuuyoma replied: “The answer is simply ‘no’.We have already answered the question through our lawyers.We cannot be kept hostage by Republikein.You can ask that question to their reporter.Plots can only be purchased after Wlotzka has been declared as a town.”Chief Regional Officer Linus Garoeb also rubbished the allegation.The small holiday resort on the central coast between Swakopmund and Henties Bay was declared a Settlement Area in 1993 and falls under the jurisdiction of the ERC.In the past, residents could lease plots from Government for 99 years, which was later reduced to 10 years.At present lease agreements have to be signed annually.The main bone of contention springs from the ERC’s plans to develop Wlotzkasbaken into a self-sustaining village to alleviate the financial burden of providing services to the area.Legal action on the issue, including the demarcation of properties and the development of a township, is currently pending and was not discussed.The residents who attended Friday’s meeting were concerned that their lease agreements had not been finalised so far this year.Garoes said the agreements were available, but certain loose ends had to be tied up before they would be sent out to the tenants.The ERC is of the opinion that the rights of the parties could not be established at this stage and that it would be premature to release the agreements now.The attorney for the Wlotzka residents, Henner Diekmann, argued that sorting out the outstanding issues could take years, as the matter had been dragging on since June 2001 and initial attempts to engage the ERC in discussions had been ignored until after the residents approached the Ministry.The thorny issue of permanent versus temporary development on the rented plots is also undecided.The erection of permanent structures on the land was “totally out”, said Nuuyoma.He said temporary structures belonged to the resident and could be removed and used elsewhere if the plot was not wanted or used by the tenant.Most Wlotzka residents have developed the plots with permanent structures which, according to them, had been approved by the former Peri-urban Development Board, but lease agreements had not been changed accordingly.Nuuyoma claimed that some people were trying to sabotage the ERC’s development plans.”You are leasing the land from the ERC.You are our respected clients and we can discuss your concerns, but we also have the right to cancel your lease agreements.We are not satisfied with the slow development in the area.”When Republikein reporter Christo Retief tried to raise the issue of supporting evidence for his article regarding the alleged property scheme, the Governor declared the meeting adjourned and drove off.After about an hour of strained discussions, throughout which Chairman of the National Council Asser Kapere diplomatically kept a lid on clearly boiling emotions, the meeting was abruptly adjourned by ERC Governor Samuel Nuuyoma.Claims surfaced in the media earlier this year that prime seafront properties at Wlotzka had been awarded to certain top-ranking Government officials through underhanded deals.In April, the Afrikaans daily Republikein reported on a list naming some political high flyers and business people to whom former ERC Chief Executive Officer Tsudisa !Gonteb had allegedly dished out properties.This allegation was denied more than once on Friday by ERC officials.When asked by some residents whether such a list existed, a clearly annoyed Nuuyoma replied: “The answer is simply ‘no’.We have already answered the question through our lawyers.We cannot be kept hostage by Republikein.You can ask that question to their reporter.Plots can only be purchased after Wlotzka has been declared as a town.”Chief Regional Officer Linus Garoeb also rubbished the allegation.The small holiday resort on the central coast between Swakopmund and Henties Bay was declared a Settlement Area in 1993 and falls under the jurisdiction of the ERC.In the past, residents could lease plots from Government for 99 years, which was later reduced to 10 years.At present lease agreements have to be signed annually.The main bone of contention springs from the ERC’s plans to develop Wlotzkasbaken into a self-sustaining village to alleviate the financial burden of providing services to the area.Legal action on the issue, including the demarcation of properties and the development of a township, is currently pending and was not discussed.The residents who attended Friday’s meeting were concerned that their lease agreements had not been finalised so far this year.Garoes said the agreements were available, but certain loose ends had to be tied up before they would be sent out to the tenants.The ERC is of the opinion that the rights of the parties could not be established at this stage and that it would be premature to release the agreements now.The attorney for the Wlotzka residents, Henner Diekmann, argued that sorting out the outstanding issues could take years, as the matter had been dragging on since June 2001 and initial attempts to engage the ERC in discussions had been ignored until after the residents approached the Ministry.The thorny issue of permanent versus temporary development on the rented plots is also undecided.The erection of permanent structures on the land was “totally out”, said Nuuyoma.He said temporary structures belonged to the resident and could be removed and used elsewhere if the plot was not wanted or used by the tenant.Most Wlotzka residents have developed the plots with permanent structures which, according to them, had been approved by the former Peri-urban Development Board, but lease agreements had not been changed accordingly.Nuuyoma claimed that some people were trying to sabotage the ERC’s development plans.”You are leasing the land from the ERC.You are our respected clients and we can discuss your concerns, but we also have the right to cancel your lease agreements.We are not satisfied with the slow development in the area.”When Republikein reporter Christo Retief tried to raise the issue of supporting evidence for his article regarding the alleged property scheme, the Governor declared the meeting adjourned and drove off.