Windhoek cracks down on child begging as city warns of exploitation and safety risks
The City of Windhoek has raised serious concerns over the growing presence of children begging at intersections, shopping centres and other public spaces across the capital, warning that some may be victims of exploitation and calling for urgent intervention to protect their welfare.
Speaking during the municipality's ordinary council meeting on Thursday, Mayor Sakarias Uunona said the issue had become a significant concern for both law enforcement authorities and child protection agencies.
"Over the past three years, groups of children, sometimes accompanied by adults, have been observed at intersections, shopping centres, and other public spaces in Windhoek," Uunona said.
He noted that while some of the children initially sold traditional items, many are now approaching motorists and pedestrians directly to request money, food, and other forms of assistance.
According to Uunona, the municipality has previously worked with stakeholders to repatriate some of the children and accompanying adults to their countries of origin on several occasions. However, many later returned and resumed living on the streets. "This issue goes beyond enforcement and requires a coordinated, multi-stakeholder response," he said.
The mayor expressed concern that some children appear to be operating under the supervision of adults who remain nearby while sending them to solicit money from the public. "In some cases, any money or food received is taken by the adults, raising serious concerns about the welfare and potential exploitation of these vulnerable children," he said.
The city has identified public donations as one of the factors contributing to the persistence of the problem. "While well-intentioned, this practice unintentionally encourages children to remain on the streets," Uunona said.
The municipality has also received reports of persistent begging, blocked pavements, interference with traffic and loitering around businesses in areas most affected by the phenomenon, including major intersections, shopping centres, the central business district and service stations.
"Motorists are often approached at intersections, increasing accident risks, with some children already injured in such incidents," the mayor warned.
Businesses have also reported customer complaints and potential impacts on trade, while littering and waste accumulation in affected areas have placed additional pressure on municipal services. Beyond the public safety concerns, Uunona stressed that the condition of many of the children remains deeply troubling. "Many appear vulnerable, poorly clothed, and in ill health, with signs of skin conditions and possible malnutrition – indicating an urgent need for social welfare, healthcare, and child protection support," he said.
The mayor noted that the activities observed may contravene several municipal regulations relating to pedestrian obstruction, loitering, littering, public nuisance and unregulated street trading, while solicitation near busy roads may also conflict with provisions of the Road Traffic and Transport Act.
However, he emphasised that enforcement measures alone would not solve the problem. "While the city remains committed to enforcing municipal by-laws, enforcement alone is not sufficient. The issue requires a balanced approach combining law enforcement, child protection, and immigration management," Uunona said.
He urged residents to support recognised welfare organisations rather than handing money directly to children on the streets. "Members of the public are urged to support recognised welfare institutions by donating directly to shelters rather than to children on the streets, ensuring assistance reaches those in need, while discouraging exploitation," he said.
A motion on the matter, tabled by councillor Ignatius Semba, was presented to council for consideration.
Meanwhile, Uunona provided an update on municipal infrastructure initiatives, saying road maintenance efforts had resulted in the repair of 85 074 medium-sized potholes across Windhoek between February 2025 and the end of May this year.
The city also completed patchwork repairs covering 68 765.40 square metres on larger potholes measuring more than 900 millimetres in diameter. "Contractors have been appointed in line with the Public Procurement Act, and pothole repairs are carried out according to scheduled timeframes across various suburbs," he said.
On waste management, the mayor said the municipality had procured 35 skip containers in January, with five already deployed in Havana.
He added that the city plans to acquire a further 50 skips during the next financial year, with approximately 20 earmarked for Havana as authorities seek to address growing waste management demands in the rapidly expanding settlement. "There is a growing need for additional skips in different suburbs across the city," Uunona said.
