Walvis Bay municipality suggests shack levy

Walvis Bay deputy mayor Sara Mutondoka has informed members of the public that council is planning to introduce shack levies at the town.

Mutondoka explained at public meetings that were held at the town’s suburbs throughout March that the levies would be paid by house owners who accommodate shacks in their backyards.

“The more shacks you have in your yard, the more you pay. It is a penalty. We continue to have multiple shacks burning in yards. When it happens, the fire victims need immediate shelters and necessities such as tents, mattresses, blankets and food. People all over the county assist, but people that are responsible must also bring their part in the disaster. We must create a fund that can assist when a disaster strikes,” she said.

Mutondoka added that the cost of the levies was not confirmed, and required input from residents.

The news was received with mixed feelings by residents.

“It seems like an idea that can work. The town is not failing entirely because of the municipality. We need to realise that having so many shacks in one yard is both a health and fire hazard. How can you allow up to twenty shacks in one yard? They will obviously all burn down in case of fire. We are putting stress on the municipality,“ said resident Lea Healao.

Another resident, Nameya Lotto, disagreed. “It seems like a punishment. Landowners receive their bread and butter from the shacks. Some of us cannot afford to feed our families, even when we are employed. We have shacks to earn money in an honest way, and now the municipality wants to charge us just because they cannot control their town’s situation.”