‘We are in prison’

HOMELESS former Koevoet members who were rounded up and accommodated in tents at the Katutura Youth Complex at the onset of the Covid-19 lockdown last March, have accused their supervisors of mistreating them because they had complained of not getting enough food.

According to a source, the supervisors always harass these former apartheid soldiers, who used to live on stream banks mainly in Katutura, and call the police whenever there is a misunderstanding over something.

One of the people, Ukaningirua Muharukua, told The Namibian yesterday that the supervisors give them small food rations and keep the rest for themselves – and when they complain, they are victimised.

Muharukua said the supervisors and volunteers – numbering about 20 – allocate themselves the same amount of food as the other 100 members, which he described as unfair.

Another member of the group, Kaujajua Tjijahura, said the supervisors do not want them to get financial assistance from outsiders, citing the case of a businessman who had offered to help but was chased away as an example.

“We are in prison here and the supervisors always call in the police whenever they feel threatened by our presence,” Tjijahura said.

According to Tjijahura, security guards manning the gates determine when the curfew starts or ends, depending on their mood at the time.

Tjijahura related an incident where one young man told the security guard that he was going to watch soccer somewhere and when he returned before 20h00 the security guard locked him out, saying he had come too late.

“The man had to go to the other gate and beg the security guard to let him in,” Tjijahura said.

Health executive director Ben Nangombe said if there are issues impacting on the well-being of the members, they will be looked at to find a solution.

“To ensure that these people are taken care of, we will look into these issues and see how they can be resolved,” Nangombe said.

He said the ministry brought these people to the centre to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and whatever problems they are experiencing at the centre, the ministry will find a solution for them.