Khorixas buckles under decades of service delivery woes ahead of independence

As Khorixas prepares for Namibia’s regional independence festivities, residents continue to struggle with decades-old infrastructure problems such as broken water pipes, overflowing sewage, erratic water supply and overcrowded hospital wards.

Teachers at !Gaeb Primary School say uncollected refuse piles and stagnant sewage next to the school pose a constant health threat to the health of staff and pupils. Educators report that the waste has largely gone uncollected for decades and has gradually expanded, encroaching on areas used by learners.

They warn that stagnant sewage has created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, posing a threat to the wellbeing of learners who spend much of their day at the school.

“The mosquitoes are becoming a serious problem and the smell from the sewage is very unpleasant,” a teacher said, adding that the situation has persisted for years without meaningful intervention.

Costly basics

Water supply challenges have long plagued the town, residents say.

Martha Kahuadi (73) told Namibian Sun that broken water pipes in parts of the town have left households without a reliable supply since December last year.

“There is no water. We cannot even ask people who have water in their homes because they criticise us or ask us to pay because they say they are also paying,” she said.

Kahuadi added that the municipality has tried to repair the pipes but that the situation has dragged on for months.

She added that the municipality assists affected households by distributing limited quantities of water twice a week.

“They only give us about two five-litre containers or sometimes two 20-litre containers. How can a family survive on that for the whole week?” she asked.

The shortage has forced some residents to purchase water privately at around N$20 for a five-litre container.

“If we want to save water to cook, it means we must sacrifice bathing or drinking water,” she said.

Hospital upgrades

Kahuadi also highlighted the worsening mosquito infestation in some areas, with households resorting to burning egg cartons in an attempt to keep the insects at bay.

Meanwhile, health concerns have been raised at Khorixas State Hospital, where staff and patients say ward space has become constrained due to ongoing renovations.

Support staff indicated that maternity and tuberculosis (TB) patients, in addition to children and men, are currently accommodated in shared wards while sections of the hospital undergo refurbishment.

“How can a pregnant lady and a mentally disabled man be put in one ward? Does that really make sense?" a local resident (24) added.

Sources at the facility say renovations affecting both the TB and maternity wards have been ongoing since last year and are far from being completed.

Additional complaints from patients relate to the requirement to purchase a N$10 medical passport before receiving treatment. Some residents claim they have been turned away or delayed when they were unable to immediately produce or buy the document.

“It’s either you buy that passport for N$10 or go home with your wound or illness,” a resident said.

Police concerns

Community members also criticised policing response times. A local, Grace Kasete, said police often take a long time to respond to reports of violence.

“Sometimes when people call the police about fights or stabbings, they take very long to arrive,” she said.

She said police officers often cite fuel shortages.

“They will come quickly if it is a drug or money case, but when it comes to other community issues, they say they do not have petrol," Kasete claimed.

Council responds

The Khorixas Town Council said refuse is collected on a regular schedule but blamed illegal dumping by residents for waste building up in undesignated areas.

“With regard to the state hospital, we have a close working relationship with the ministry responsible for health and social services," said Simson Ochurub, town council spokesperson.

"If a need arises, the management of the hospital communicates to our office, and we render our assistance," Ochurub added.

He said several development projects are currently underway, including water reticulation in the Ada-//Naugu informal settlement serving 616 erven, sewer infrastructure for more than 1 700 households and electricity projects across parts of the town.

Ochurub added that preparations for Namibia’s Independence Day celebrations on 21 March in Khorixas are being coordinated through steering committees.