By Caleb Shatyohamba
Tsumeb, December 27 — The residents of Kuvukiland, an informal settlement in Tsumeb, are grappling with severe flooding caused by the lack of proper drainage systems in the area. Recent heavy rains have turned this recurring issue into an urgent crisis, leaving many homes submerged and families stranded.
Social activist Michael Saddam Amushelelo, who visited Kuvukiland at the invitation of friends, described the situation as dire and unacceptable. Speaking to this publication, Amushelelo criticized the apparent neglect by local authorities, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by the community.
“The people of Kuvukiland informal settlement in Tsumeb have it bad. This is a known situation by the municipality, but the people’s pleas have been ignored throughout the years,” Amushelelo expressed on his social media page.
During his visit, Amushelelo witnessed the devastating impact of the rains on residents’ homes. He noted that within minutes of the downpour, water flooded numerous houses, causing significant damage and distress.
“When the rains started and within minutes water was flooding so many homes, it was just something painful to experience. Imagining this is how other people live for years is unacceptable,” he lamented.
Compounding the issue is the challenging terrain of Kuvukiland. The settlement is situated on uneven ground filled with large boulders. Many residents, unable to remove these obstacles, have resorted to incorporating them into the structure of their shacks, further exacerbating their vulnerability during heavy rains.
Residents have repeatedly appealed to the Tsumeb Municipality for intervention, but their calls for assistance have yet to be answered. Community members fear that without immediate action to create proper drainage channels, the suffering will persist, and future rains will bring even greater devastation.
