Uutoni orders Rundu to formalise Tumweneni
Minister blasts ‘military camp’ school
"My message is very clear and I want this to be done as a matter of urgency," the minister said.
Likening the set-up of a Rundu school to a military camp, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni has ordered the Rundu town council to formalise the Tumweneni informal settlement with immediate effect.
Uutoni on Monday afternoon could not hide his disappointment when he saw hundreds of learners taught at a school where over 90% of the classrooms are government tents - which were provided following media reports on the lack of classrooms at the school.
Siguruguru Primary School is situated on the outskirts of Rundu in the Tumweneni informal settlement, an area that was established in 2018 when landless residents illegally occupied land.
Council subsequently approached the High Court and an eviction order was granted in 2019.
However, attempts to evict the residents provided futile, and the settlement’s population has since grown to an estimated 4 000 people.
With the eviction order still enforceable, no development can take place on the land in question.
The minister - who was accompanied by local authority councillors and regional leaders - questioned why the area’s problems cannot be resolved.
Matter of urgency
Rundu mayor Gabriel Kanyanga assured Uutoni that the council is seized with the matter and that is due to be discussed at next month’s council meeting.
Uutoni, however, told Kanyanga and his team that the matter must be expedited and must be included on the agenda of tomorrow’s council meeting.
“My directive is that this place should be formalised as a matter of urgency so that the school can get its premises and infrastructure.
“What I want is for this area to be formalised. I want to see something this year. My message is very clear and I want this to be done as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Uutoni requested Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo to spearhead the establishment of a committee that will ensure the process is successful.
[email protected]
Uutoni on Monday afternoon could not hide his disappointment when he saw hundreds of learners taught at a school where over 90% of the classrooms are government tents - which were provided following media reports on the lack of classrooms at the school.
Siguruguru Primary School is situated on the outskirts of Rundu in the Tumweneni informal settlement, an area that was established in 2018 when landless residents illegally occupied land.
Council subsequently approached the High Court and an eviction order was granted in 2019.
However, attempts to evict the residents provided futile, and the settlement’s population has since grown to an estimated 4 000 people.
With the eviction order still enforceable, no development can take place on the land in question.
The minister - who was accompanied by local authority councillors and regional leaders - questioned why the area’s problems cannot be resolved.
Matter of urgency
Rundu mayor Gabriel Kanyanga assured Uutoni that the council is seized with the matter and that is due to be discussed at next month’s council meeting.
Uutoni, however, told Kanyanga and his team that the matter must be expedited and must be included on the agenda of tomorrow’s council meeting.
“My directive is that this place should be formalised as a matter of urgency so that the school can get its premises and infrastructure.
“What I want is for this area to be formalised. I want to see something this year. My message is very clear and I want this to be done as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Uutoni requested Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo to spearhead the establishment of a committee that will ensure the process is successful.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article