Africa-Press – Namibia. FORMER Windhoek councillor Brumlelda Cornelius has quashed allegations that she has been blocking some community members from accessing water at a community borehole that was drilled at her private premises.
FORMER Windhoek councillor Brumlelda Cornelius has quashed allegations that she has been blocking some community members from accessing water at a community borehole that was drilled at her private premises.
The allegations were levelled by former Groot Aub Verdruk Community chairperson Hedley Gowaseb, who accused Cornelius of blocking some community members from accessing the water.
“This is our community borehole. I paid for the borehole but all of us are using the water. The community did not contribute to the cost of the borehole drilling. I paid for the drilling of the borehole, I bought the casings, I bought the pump that is currently pumping water that is in the borehole and we are sharing the water,” Cornelius said yesterday.
She said she paid in full for the drilling of the borehole without any support from the community.
A letter written to Cornelius by the City of Windhoek also confirms that she sought permission from the council to drill the borehole on her premises. It also indicates that she used the community as the reason to get permission to drill the borehole.
“My total expense for the borehole and all equipment was N$45 000,” she added.
Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Gowaseb, however, claimed: “She used the community’s name to get the borehole and now she tells us the borehole is on private property.”
He said Cornelius is refusing the community access to the borehole in her yard.
Verdruk acting chairperson Claudine Petersen said it is not true that Cornellius is denying the community water.
“As we speak now, we are receiving water from Cornelius’ borehole. She is accommodating the community from that borehole,” she said.
She also added that Cornelius applied for the borehole through the community.
Meanwhile, councillor of Windhoek rural constituency Piet Adams said he is not aware of the allegations that Cornelius is limiting the community’s access to the community borehole.
“I know about the letters that were sent to the City of Windhoek and they went to investigate that matter,” Adams said.
Windhoek municipality spokesperson Lydia Amutenya told The Namibian that the borehole at Cornelius’ farm is for the community.
She also added that approval for the borehole drilling in her yard was done on condition that it was going to serve the community.
“As per her commitment, the borehole will be utilised by the community members and the community garden as well as the newly established aquaculture project,” she said.
The allegations were levelled by former Groot Aub Verdruk Community chairperson Hedley Gowaseb, who accused Cornelius of blocking some community members from accessing the water.
“This is our community borehole. I paid for the borehole but all of us are using the water. The community did not contribute to the cost of the borehole drilling. I paid for the drilling of the borehole, I bought the casings, I bought the pump that is currently pumping water that is in the borehole and we are sharing the water,” Cornelius said yesterday.
She said she paid in full for the drilling of the borehole without any support from the community.
A letter written to Cornelius by the City of Windhoek also confirms that she sought permission from the council to drill the borehole on her premises. It also indicates that she used the community as the reason to get permission to drill the borehole.
“My total expense for the borehole and all equipment was N$45 000,” she added.
Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Gowaseb, however, claimed: “She used the community’s name to get the borehole and now she tells us the borehole is on private property.”
He said Cornelius is refusing the community access to the borehole in her yard.
Verdruk acting chairperson Claudine Petersen said it is not true that Cornellius is denying the community water.
“As we speak now, we are receiving water from Cornelius’ borehole. She is accommodating the community from that borehole,” she said.
She also added that Cornelius applied for the borehole through the community.
Meanwhile, councillor of Windhoek rural constituency Piet Adams said he is not aware of the allegations that Cornelius is limiting the community’s access to the community borehole.
“I know about the letters that were sent to the City of Windhoek and they went to investigate that matter,” Adams said.
Windhoek municipality spokesperson Lydia Amutenya told The Namibian that the borehole at Cornelius’ farm is for the community.
She also added that approval for the borehole drilling in her yard was done on condition that it was going to serve the community.
“As per her commitment, the borehole will be utilised by the community members and the community garden as well as the newly established aquaculture project,” she said.
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