Africa-Press – Namibia. Auleria Wakudumo
Residents of Khorixas are calling for urgent intervention from their town council over the shortage of residential land, as frustration continues to grow over delays and limited access to plots.
Community members submitted a petition to the Khorixas Town Council calling for the allocation of land, as many have been waiting for years without success.
One of the residents, Clemans Miyanicwe, said that lack of access has forced many people to continue living in overcrowded spaces, with limited opportunities to improve their living standards. Most of the residents are from Donkerhoek, where poverty remains widespread and visible to the naked eye.
Headwoman of the Huruben Damara Traditional Council, Rosa Ndeiluka, said they applied for residential plots in 2023 but have repeatedly been told that there is no land available.
“We are born in Khorixas and have lived here our whole lives, but we are told that there is no land available,” Ndeiluka said.
Ndeiluka also raised concerns about the fairness of the allocation process, claiming that while residents are being turned away, land continues to be allocated to people from outside the town.
She stated that at least 500 residents have applied for residential plots in 2023. This highlights the growing demand for land in Khorixas.
The petition further reveals that some residents were previously placed on allocation lists but were never awarded land. These individuals have since identified themselves in the petition and called for clarity and accountability from the council.
Residents are urging the council to take decisive action against those who were allocated land but have failed to develop it. They argue that undeveloped plots should be repossessed and redistributed to those in need, particularly as the housing backlog continues to grow. Economic hardship is also compounding the crisis. Petitioners estimate that more than 70% of Khorixas residents are unemployed, making it difficult for many to afford land even when it becomes available. However, they called for a more inclusive and flexible approach to land pricing and allocation.
“We are law-abiding residents who simply want a place to call our own. We are urging the council to consider the socio-economic realities facing the community,” they said.
Response
The petition has been received by Khorixas mayor Lesley Awaseb, who acknowledges the concerns raised by residents.
The spokesperson of the town, Simson Ochurub, said land allocation is guided by supply and demand. He noted that rapid urbanisation and limited serviced land make it impossible to allocate plots to all applicants at once. “The council maintains a waiting list and only allocates land as it becomes available,” Ochurub said. He stated that the council has allocated 618 formal and 674 informal erven over the past five years and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and service delivery while encouraging residents to stay engaged. The council has, however, raised concern over the illegal selling of informal erven.
“This practice is illegal and must be stopped immediately,” he stressed.
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