Debt of N$600 000 owned on Baster captain’s house at Rehoboth

Hardap governor Salomon April has called for fundraising activities to cover the debts owed on the Baster captain’s house.

This is to facilitate the smooth transfer of ownership from the Ministry of Works and Transport to the Baster Traditional Authority.

April said this during a recent visit to the town.

He said the debt incurred on the property totals approximately N$600 000.

“I urge the community to consult and come up with fundraising ideas and initiatives to settle the accumulated debt on the house. The council owes it to the founding father, Sam Nujoma, to restore the dignity of former Baster captain Hans Diergaardt, as stipulated in the Rukoro Report, to correct this historical injustice,” April said.

Rehoboth mayor Amanda Groenewaldt said her office is currently busy coming up with ways to transfer the ownership of the house to the Baster community.

She said a council meeting will be held on 21 October to discuss the matter.

“I believe it is important for our captain to stay in the house. Living in the house will make work earlier. This is a special gift that was given to the people of Rehoboth. We want our humanity back,” she said.

Groenewaldt said the debt on the house is high because private individuals were living there, who did not settle the arrears.

She further said in December 2017, a fire occurred at the house, and some sections were damaged.