By: Annakleta Haikera
Faustinus Dike Hausiku, a 64-year-old resident of Tumweneni, an informal settlement of nearly 5000 residents in Rundu, says he almost died of dehydration after going three days without a drop of water.
He has accused the town council of failing to bring services closer to the people as residents go without water at the informal settlement.
“After going roughly three days without even a single drop of water, with all the dehydration, I almost dropped dead because of thirst. I felt sick in my bed,” Hausiku narrates to The Villager.
He has a 1000 litre tank outside his home, which he fills with water from the town, costing him N$150 to fill up, but he says it went dry after thieves stole the water.
“I didn’t know where else to get water. Water is very important to everyone. My wife went to visit her family members in the village and left me alone, and if the Rundu town council could have provided us with portable running water, nothing like this could have happened to me.”
Hausiku says that he was in fear of his life as, last year, an elderly man at Ncaute in Kavango East died of dehydration because he didn’t have water.
“While living in the informal settlement, I feel we’re only valued during election time. But after the election is done, leaders don’t come here and visit us. As old as I am, I always have to go to Cuma road to get water because the town council doesn’t provide us with any water. I have paid N$ 2500 for my residential fee at Tumweneni. I don’t understand why, up until now why the town council has not provided us with portable water.”
According to the National Council standing committee on agriculture, environment and natural resources’ report, 40 villages in the two Kavango regions have existed without potable water. This has led to many being forced to get their water from wells and nearby rivers. The former has led to conflict with wildlife such as crocodiles and numerous deaths.
Hausiku says that Tumweneni residents are suffering. He says town councillors have not looked into this because it was said that some residents living in this area illegally occupied pieces of land.
“While this is true, some of us paid a residential fee, and by now, we’re supposed to have running water in Tumweneni. But then councillors always make promises to bring us portable water. If a Samaritan didn’t come to pass by my house, it could have been the end of my life. After seeing my condition, they quickly got me water since they have a vehicle.”
Residents in the informal settlements of Rundu in Kavango East still suffer from not having potable running water, while some people go up to a month without having access to water.
According to some residents in informal settlements such as Sun City, Cuma, and Tumweneni, they have lived without potable water for over eight years. Some resort to getting water illegally.
“Are they (leadership) going to be happy if this was their family member?” questioned Patrick Kashera, a resident of Tumweneni.
He further said that Tumweneni residents are being ignored and are never listened to.
“It’s so saddening that our leaders are turning deaf ears toward the problem of what people are crying for. I hope Tumweneni residents will soon be listened to.”
When approached for comment, Kavango East town mayor Gabriel Kanyanga told The Villager that Tumweneni residents are still living illegally in the area, as per court order.
“Because this land was grabbed by certain individuals who wanted land for themselves and land to sell, while the town council wanted to utilise it for development. There was no approval from the town council for people to live there.”
He said that residents in this area were supposed to be evicted in 2019, but the council is still awaiting the right decision from the High Court.
“In this situation of the elderly man, it could be that he is just a victim that came to reside at the area where he is paying a residential fee. But if he can come forth and tell us who are these people telling them to pay for the area where they are staying, it will help us with our investigation.”
According to the mayor, the town council has been engaging Namwater regarding residents in Tumweneni to provide them with water, “but the truck is no more in Rundu. As a council, we’re saying if there’s a way to develop this informal settlement, we will have to see that we follow the court’s decision. But as we speak, we have asked Recon Africa to assist us with their truck so we can provide the residents with water.”