Govt orders rogue civil servants to buy or vacate govt flats
Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi has given rogue civil servants living in government flats until the end of June to either buy the properties they occupy or move out, warning that years of neglect and misuse of state housing will no longer be tolerated.
Nekundi described the deteriorating state of government housing and outlined the Cabinet’s position that sitting tenants be given the opportunity to purchase the flats they occupy.
Two weeks ago, Nekundi issued a final call to all illegal occupants of government houses and flats to vacate the properties by 1 April, or face forced eviction.
In a statement issued today, Nekundi expressed concern over the continued unlawful occupation of state accommodation by non-civil servants, unauthorised government employees, subletters, and retired public servants.
He said all those falling under these categories must hand over their keys to the Housing Division of the ministry before the deadline.
The minister further announced revised penalty fees for illegal occupants, effective 1 January 2026. Monthly charges for one-bedroom units have increased from N$1 500 to N$4 500, while two- and three-bedroom units now attract fees of up to N$10 500, both subject to 20% monthly interest.
Nekundi this week told lawmakers that the condition of government houses and flats has reached a point where “99.99%” of the properties are poorly maintained and in a state “where nobody wants to live.”
He said the neglect demonstrates a failure by beneficiaries to look after state facilities, an outcome he stressed is unacceptable given that occupying such housing is a “privilege,” not a right.
“There are thousands and thousands of Namibian civil servants who do not live in those properties,” the Minister said, arguing that those who have the privilege of residence must also take responsibility for maintenance.
Under the Cabinet’s proposal, civil servants currently residing in government properties will be offered the chance to buy the houses or flats they occupy. A small number have already accepted the offer, but the majority have declined, the minister told Parliament.
“What is given to them is their choice. They either take up the offer and buy these properties … or they choose not to,” Nekundi said.
The Minister warned that the window for acceptance remains open only until the end of June. After this deadline, any tenants who have not taken up the offer will see the property made available to other civil servants willing to purchase it. If no civil servant opts to buy, the Minister said, the property will be put on the open market.
Nekundi emphasized the economic logic behind the scheme, noting the unsustainability of paying salaries to civil servants who live in government houses without maintaining them. “We cannot continue to pay people’s salaries, living in government houses, they are not even taking care of them,” he said.
