CoW to relocate shacks in flood prone areas

WINDHOEK, 19 Apr  – The City of Windhoek (CoW) has identified about 10 shacks to be relocated from the same vicinity in Abraham Iyambo informal settlement where a mother and her three-year-old son drowned Monday night due to floodwater.
In a media briefing held here on Tuesday, the City’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise said through the disasters rescue management plan, the CoW has fenced off portions of land on the outskirts of Havana informal settlement, to where the residents will be relocated.
Kahimise emphasised that all is being done to prevent, mitigate and respond efficiently to possible floods in order to protect lives and properties.
“There is not much the City can do if residents continue to settle themselves in riverbeds, which are usually uninhabitable and prone to flash floods,” he said.
He also warned residents not to embark on erecting shacks because the City is relocating people, as those to erect new shacks will face the law.
“If people just hear the City is relocating others who are in danger, then overnight more shacks will be erected in that same area, however the City Police and the Namibian Police Force will fulfil the law,” said Kahimise.
He further noted that the City will also engage in clearing riverbeds to ensure that the natural flow of water is not inhibited to prevent further life lost.
The body of the victim, identified as 32-year-old Saima Thomas, was discovered in the riverbed in Havana, while her three-year-old son’s body is still missing.
The deceased are believed to have drowned when their shack that was erected in a riverbed was swept away by floodwater.
NAMPA