Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Banner Left
Banner Right

Arovlei ‘secret’ no secret, but it’s secret for now: Defence

Arovlei ‘secret’ no secret, but it’s secret for now: Defence

THE Ministry of Defence yesterday maintained that it had informed the Arovlei community about a Ministry building being erected in their midst, but pleaded for patience before it tells them again.

Members of the small farming community say they have pleaded with Government for answers on the ‘mysterious’ building since 2006, when construction started. According to residents, information gleaned from unofficial sources indicates that the controversial structure may be an intended ammunitions factory.Arovlei is situated next to Oamites along the Windhoek-Rehoboth road.Approached for comment, Defence spokesperson Margaret Amagulu rejected claims by the community that they had not been informed before Government decided to allow a Chinese construction company to start building there.The Windhoek-based Amagulu yesterday rejected residents’ claims that the building was being put up in their midst – the community was resettled on communal land in the area.She maintained that the site formed part of the Oamites military base neighbouring their area.”The community was informed a long time ago, so I don’t know why they are saying this now,” she said.Asked for proof of this, she would only say that the Ministry’s investigation of a query by The Namibian confirmed her statement.”We investigated and we found that they had been told.Whenever Government does something, whatever it does, they do inform the people or communities affected,” she said.What the community was told, however, remains a mystery for now – Amagulu is calling for patience.”It’s not really a secrecy issue.But they must just remain patient.We will inform the community there, and the public as well, in due time,” she said.Community members on Sunday held a meeting to which they invited Government representatives to brief them on what is going on, but that meeting was adjourned without any answers being provided after Government officials snubbed their invitation.Many of Arovlei’s small population are pensioners.They were moved from their previous home at !Oa//gaexas near the Daan Viljoen nature reserve more than a decade ago.According to the Arovlei Farmers Association (AFA), who formally represent the community, fear is rife among the community that they may be forced to move again.According to residents, information gleaned from unofficial sources indicates that the controversial structure may be an intended ammunitions factory.Arovlei is situated next to Oamites along the Windhoek-Rehoboth road.Approached for comment, Defence spokesperson Margaret Amagulu rejected claims by the community that they had not been informed before Government decided to allow a Chinese construction company to start building there.The Windhoek-based Amagulu yesterday rejected residents’ claims that the building was being put up in their midst – the community was resettled on communal land in the area.She maintained that the site formed part of the Oamites military base neighbouring their area.”The community was informed a long time ago, so I don’t know why they are saying this now,” she said.Asked for proof of this, she would only say that the Ministry’s investigation of a query by The Namibian confirmed her statement.”We investigated and we found that they had been told.Whenever Government does something, whatever it does, they do inform the people or communities affected,” she said.What the community was told, however, remains a mystery for now – Amagulu is calling for patience.”It’s not really a secrecy issue.But they must just remain patient.We will inform the community there, and the public as well, in due time,” she said.Community members on Sunday held a meeting to which they invited Government representatives to brief them on what is going on, but that meeting was adjourned without any answers being provided after Government officials snubbed their invitation.Many of Arovlei’s small population are pensioners.They were moved from their previous home at !Oa//gaexas near the Daan Viljoen nature reserve more than a decade ago.According to the Arovlei Farmers Association (AFA), who formally represent the community, fear is rife among the community that they may be forced to move again.

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News