Land motions remain unresolved for 16 months
The City of Windhoek councillor Maitjituavi Kavetu from Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Party has questioned the delay in resolving two motions on land allocation and housing ownership, which have allegedly remained before the City of Windhoek’s Management Committee for more than 16 months.The motions, submitted in June 2025, sought to address challenges faced by members of Shack Dwellers Federation groups in Goreangab and Havana, who reportedly paid towards land acquisition but are still awaiting allocation, demarcation and transfer of the land. "When will the Management Committee finalise the two motions submitted to give land tenure to our people and resubmit them for consideration and decision of this Council" he asked.
The second motion called for a review of existing municipal residential lease agreements in areas including Okuryangava, Okahandja park, Babylon, Havana, Otjomuise, Mixed Settlement and Goreangab. The proposed review aimed to create a pathway for residents to acquire ownership of the land they currently occupy. During a council meeting late last week (29 October), Kavetu questioned why the motions had not yet returned to council for consideration, despite the time that had passed since their referral to the Management Committee. "It is politically and morally indefensible that measures concerning the allocation of land to the poor should remain unresolved" said Kavetu.
He further called for clarity on when the motions were tabled before the committee, what deliberations or decisions had taken place and the reasons for the delay. "They can not live on promises while the institutions or the institution entrusted with transforming their lives, which is the City of Windhoek Council, remains inactive" he said.
Kavetu also asked when the matters would be brought back to council, stressing the importance of resolving issues affecting residents who are seeking secure access to land and home ownership. He further warned that the Management Committee should not become a place where proposals aimed at improving the living conditions of poorer residents are left unresolved, "I should urge that the struggle for land ownership is inseparable from the struggle for economic emancipation, dignity, and social justice for our people."
He indicated that the questions had been received and that responses would be provided at the next council meeting.
