Groot Aub incorporated into Windhoek

GOVERNMENT on Friday officially incorporated the Groot Aub village into the City of Windhoek, despite residents resisting the move.

Government said the population growth at Groot Aub negatively impacted the well-being of the residents as they experienced water shortages that had reached crisis point. The situation was exacerbated by illegal connections.

The incorporation follows a recent petition by about 750 residents of Groot Aub, who demanded that government reverses the proclamation of Groot Aub as part of the City of Windhoek. The group cited the fact that they might not be able to afford the high rates and charges by the Windhoek municipality.

They also demanded that residents be given preference in the allocation of residential plots.

Speaking at the land titles’ handover of Groot Aub to the city last Friday, urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa said land grabbing or the illegal allocation of land and the erection of structures are also some of the challenges faced by the village, as well as the lack of a proper solid and liquid waste disposal and management system, in addition to illegal mining.

“The government has received numerous complaints and a cry for help from the residents of Groot Aub to urgently intervene to arrest the situation. In response, the government, following the law, took a decision to incorporate Groot Aub into the boundaries of the Windhoek municipality,” she said.

Shaningwa lifted the moratorium issued in May on all construction activities at Groot Aub, saying the responsibility of managing and regulating all such activities at Groot Aub now falls on the Windhoek municipality, and will be done in accordance with the applicable by-laws. City of Windhoek chief executive officer Robert Kahimise said although everything at Groot Aub is free [water], that will come to an end. However, it will not be done immediately, but in phases.

“All we will do this year is to get our system in order, and any illegal connections will be cut off before the residents will be getting water in a legal manner. You have until March 2018, when you will pay for the services. With time, we will talk about the rates and taxes with the residents, but it is in the next phase,” he explained.

He noted that prepaid electricity will be provided to an extra 50 people at the town, while the same will be done with regards to the water provision.