We’ve had it, say Okahandja protesters

A PLANNED demonstration by disgruntled Okahandja residents was cancelled abruptly yesterday after the Police and the municipality failed to grant permission for their scheduled march.

The demonstrators had planned to voice their dissatisfaction with the Okahandja municipality, which the group has accused of bad management on several occasions. Despite being barred from marching, about 30 people gathered at the informal settlement of Blikkiesdorp yesterday afternoon, where they shared their grievances with The Namibian.Residents, according to group member Abraham Kaibib, had planned to demonstrate against the suspension of municipal services to pensioners and destitute people, the increasing number of nightclubs being allowed to operate in the location, and what they say is a deliberate attempt by the municipality to keep work out of the hands of Okahandja residents.”Recently, a company operating out of Mariental was handed a tender to clean (the informal settlement of) Elim Court.We know of at least two companies from Okahandja who applied for the tender, and (the company awarded the tender) was also rejected initially because they didn’t fit the requirements,” said Kaibib.”Even the sub-contractors for this work are from Rehoboth.What about the people who live here?” he asked.Another resident, Henry Sali, showed The Namibian a copy of a petition he says was signed by 571 people in Blikkiesdorp earlier this year, and which denounced the decision to set up a nightclub between the local old-age home, a clinic and the Nau-Aib Primary School.This nightclub has since come into operation, the would-be demonstrators say.”The environment in which you raise your children is important.When do the old people get their rest? Okahandja’s schools are always rated among the worst in the country.But when will the kids study if this club is just 30 metres away from their homes?” Sali fumed.”Government has a vision, but in the meantime our children are being made into drunkards,” he added.”The council better take this warning seriously.You’ll be going to the voting polls on your own next time around.We’re not voting again.We’re tired of being ruled with an iron fist,” Kaibib said.The municipality has apparently promised to respond by July 5 to a previous petition by demonstrators, which was delivered two weeks ago.Municipality CEO Regina Alughodhi yesterday declined to speak to The Namibian, saying she was too busy to comment.Despite being barred from marching, about 30 people gathered at the informal settlement of Blikkiesdorp yesterday afternoon, where they shared their grievances with The Namibian.Residents, according to group member Abraham Kaibib, had planned to demonstrate against the suspension of municipal services to pensioners and destitute people, the increasing number of nightclubs being allowed to operate in the location, and what they say is a deliberate attempt by the municipality to keep work out of the hands of Okahandja residents. “Recently, a company operating out of Mariental was handed a tender to clean (the informal settlement of) Elim Court.We know of at least two companies from Okahandja who applied for the tender, and (the company awarded the tender) was also rejected initially because they didn’t fit the requirements,” said Kaibib.”Even the sub-contractors for this work are from Rehoboth.What about the people who live here?” he asked.Another resident, Henry Sali, showed The Namibian a copy of a petition he says was signed by 571 people in Blikkiesdorp earlier this year, and which denounced the decision to set up a nightclub between the local old-age home, a clinic and the Nau-Aib Primary School.This nightclub has since come into operation, the would-be demonstrators say.”The environment in which you raise your children is important.When do the old people get their rest? Okahandja’s schools are always rated among the worst in the country.But when will the kids study if this club is just 30 metres away from their homes?” Sali fumed.”Government has a vision, but in the meantime our children are being made into drunkards,” he added.”The council better take this warning seriously.You’ll be going to the voting polls on your own next time around.We’re not voting again.We’re tired of being ruled with an iron fist,” Kaibib said.The municipality has apparently promised to respond by July 5 to a previous petition by demonstrators, which was delivered two weeks ago.Municipality CEO Regina Alughodhi yesterday declined to speak to The Namibian, saying she was too busy to comment.