The Tsumeb Municipality has initiated a survey to count the number of toilets in households, however, the reasons behind it remain unclear.
The municipality, on its social media platform, simply state that the survey aims to verify the number of toilets on each erf.
When questioned about the purpose of the survey, municipality spokesperson Stella Imalwa-Nangolo, did not provide a clear explanation.
The Namibian wanted to understand the implications for homeowners with multiple establishments, and whether any specific exemptions would be considered.
“The municipality is currently conducting on-site inspections of individual properties. Once the data has been collected, it will be submitted to the council for consideration. No decisions have been made yet regarding toilets,” said Imalwa-Nangolo.
Temporary workers, identified only by hats bearing the Tsumeb Municipality emblem, are carrying out the survey.
However, some community members have taken to social media to express their confusion about the survey’s purpose.
Dave Gregory says even the temporary workers themselves have no idea why they are counting toilets.
‘’They have no idea what they are doing this all for? This municipality, hey? They just laugh when you ask,” he said.
Klaudia Martin, who lives in a yard with five flats, confirmed that their properties have been counted.
She mentioned suspicions from the landlord that they may be penalised for having more than two toilets.
“We have been informed that if that is the case, we, as tenants, will have to pay an additional fee for the toilets,” she said.
Another resident, Alex Burmeu, questioned why the municipality is only conducting the survey in the town and Nomtsoub areas, excluding the Kuvukiland informal settlement.
“You don’t need a survey for that because a house in town and a house in Nomtsoub will always have a toilet and they can just check that on the building plans, unless the municipality has too much money and doesn’t know what to use it for,” said Burmeu.
The municipality has not specified when the survey will conclude.
Additionally, the municipality has started another interim and general survey on municipal properties within the Nomtsoub area. The purpose of this survey is to update their database of persons currently occupying these properties, and subsequently to enter into lease agreements with the council.
*Brandon Shilongo is a second-year Triumphant College journalism student.
