City rejects Sodom and Gomorrah report

WINDHOEK FRED GOEIEMAN

In a radical step, the City of Windhoek has dismissed a study by traders at the controversial 'Herero Mall' informal trading area in Katutura, citing the omission of key burning issues and non-consultation with the city council.
The City is furious with Herero Mall traders, who presented a study they themselves commissioned to Khomas Regional Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua - in the process side-stepping the municipality.
The feasibility study, titled A Socio-Economic Needs Analysis (SENA) for the Herero Mall in Katutura, was commissioned by the Namibia Informal Sector Organisation (NISO), which is the representative body of the mall's traders.
It was conducted by consultant, George Kozonguizi, with funds received from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung-FES. The report does not touch on the burning issue of operating hours, which in the past had led to a fierce confrontation between the traders and the police.
Speaking at a council meeting on Wednesday, City of Windhoek Deputy Mayor Muese Kazapua said the Herero Mall traders had snubbed the municipality by first running to McLeod-Katjirua with their feasibility study. He did not indicate when the meeting between NISO and the governor had taken place.
The NISO report suggests a range of upgrading initiatives, including the formalisation of the market, the generation of solar power as an energy source and stricter control and safety measures.
But this week, City councillor Elaine Treppers proposed that the feasibility study, which was finally tabled before council, be rejected.
She explained the City is looking for a suitable consultant to conduct its own feasibility study and advised the council meeting not to accept the NISO report.
Another councillor, Gerson Kamatuka, initially suggested that the NISO report be used as the basis of a council study. However, it later emerged that the council cannot approve work done by someone who it had not commissioned.
City of Windhoek Mayor Agnes Kafula said she has a problem with using the NISO report as a basis for the City's study, as she wanted an independent assessment.
The report of the NISO's feasibility study for us is null and void, she said. The NISO states that the traders believe there is no need for a further feasibility study, as such a move will delay the implementation of the development plan for Herero Mall.
Kazapua suggested the NISO feasibility study must be removed from the council agenda, until such time that the traders come to the chamber to make a presentation on the document.
Let them follow the right channel, he said.
He said the idea is good but they did not go through the proper channel and had in fact by-passed the council.
He claimed that Herero Mall was previously known as Sodom and Gomorrah, because the sale of alcohol was not regulated.
The council feasibility study will eventually inform the planning and development process around Herero Mall.
The City said further that its aim was to avoid further delays in the implementation of the Herero Mall project.
Project proposals with quotations have already been received from Global Legal Services at estimated costs of N$3,1 million, Urban Trust Namibia at N$223 410 and Labour Resource and Research Institute at estimated cost of N$160 000.
However, NISO is apparently not happy with the City conducting its own study, as it claims the council will be biased.
However, the City said: Due to dynamics involved, it is vital to pursue the formal development of the Herero Mall in a transparent manner, which will involve all the stakeholders, hence it is necessary to appoint a consultant who will be perceived to be unbiased.
The bone of contention between the City and other stakeholders at Herero Mall is that the traders are occupying the land illegally, as well as concerns raised by neighbours regarding noise, indecent behaviour, pollution and other social issues.