‘Number one for all the wrong reasons’, outgoing councillor warns
Fiery call for change in troubled Rundu
Outgoing Rundu Urban councillor Vicky Kauma delivered a blistering assessment of Rundu’s social crisis last week, warning that the town has become “number one for all the wrong reasons” as poverty, crime and hunger deepen while lawlessness thrives.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Rundu Town Council’s new traffic unit, Kauma abandoned political niceties and confronted the region’s grim statistics head-on.
“It is Kavango East, Rundu as a town, Rundu as a constituency. We are number one in teenage pregnancy. We are number one in alcohol abuse. Kavango East is number one in crime. Number one in poverty. Number one in hunger. Number one in food poisoning,” she said.
“Why number one? Why can’t we reduce that to zero?”
Her remarks set the tone for a fiery address in which she challenged the council, law enforcement officers and residents to take responsibility for rebuilding the town’s deteriorating social fabric.
Declaring “zero tolerance” going forward, Kauma urged law enforcement to uphold professional integrity and refuse bribes, “not even a single pen”, warning that corruption kills accountability before it reaches the community.
Kauma also expressed concern over attacks on police officers, saying it reflects how far Rundu has drifted from respecting its own laws.
She called on the town council to implement its regulations fully and consistently, from leadership down to the newest officer.
Real on-the-ground action
Moving beyond enforcement, Kauma pressed the council to invest in services that poor families can actually access.
She proposed municipal buses to transport schoolchildren across far-flung suburbs, pointing out that many parents cannot afford rising transport costs.
“Many of our community members are very poor. They cannot even afford to pay for these taxis. When we introduce buses, our children and our parents will finally enjoy that,” she said.
Kauma also pleaded with residents to pay for municipal services, including water, land rates and taxes, arguing that council cannot operate on “a zero budget” while illegal water connections continue to drain resources.
Safer Rundu
Town council CEO Olavi Nathanael said the traffic unit will play a critical role in implementing municipal and national traffic laws, aiming to reduce accidents, improve traffic flow and enhance pedestrian safety.
“The ultimate goal is to see a safer, more orderly, and more efficient Rundu,” he said.
The unit, currently staffed by three officers with plans to expand to eight, is empowered to enforce municipal bylaws as well as national traffic regulations, conduct patrols, manage congestion and promote road safety education.
“The ultimate goal for this unit is a reduction in road accidents, injuries and fatalities, better compliance with traffic regulations, and a safer urban environment,” Nathanael said.
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Speaking at the inauguration of the Rundu Town Council’s new traffic unit, Kauma abandoned political niceties and confronted the region’s grim statistics head-on.
“It is Kavango East, Rundu as a town, Rundu as a constituency. We are number one in teenage pregnancy. We are number one in alcohol abuse. Kavango East is number one in crime. Number one in poverty. Number one in hunger. Number one in food poisoning,” she said.
“Why number one? Why can’t we reduce that to zero?”
Her remarks set the tone for a fiery address in which she challenged the council, law enforcement officers and residents to take responsibility for rebuilding the town’s deteriorating social fabric.
Declaring “zero tolerance” going forward, Kauma urged law enforcement to uphold professional integrity and refuse bribes, “not even a single pen”, warning that corruption kills accountability before it reaches the community.
Kauma also expressed concern over attacks on police officers, saying it reflects how far Rundu has drifted from respecting its own laws.
She called on the town council to implement its regulations fully and consistently, from leadership down to the newest officer.
Real on-the-ground action
Moving beyond enforcement, Kauma pressed the council to invest in services that poor families can actually access.
She proposed municipal buses to transport schoolchildren across far-flung suburbs, pointing out that many parents cannot afford rising transport costs.
“Many of our community members are very poor. They cannot even afford to pay for these taxis. When we introduce buses, our children and our parents will finally enjoy that,” she said.
Kauma also pleaded with residents to pay for municipal services, including water, land rates and taxes, arguing that council cannot operate on “a zero budget” while illegal water connections continue to drain resources.
Safer Rundu
Town council CEO Olavi Nathanael said the traffic unit will play a critical role in implementing municipal and national traffic laws, aiming to reduce accidents, improve traffic flow and enhance pedestrian safety.
“The ultimate goal is to see a safer, more orderly, and more efficient Rundu,” he said.
The unit, currently staffed by three officers with plans to expand to eight, is empowered to enforce municipal bylaws as well as national traffic regulations, conduct patrols, manage congestion and promote road safety education.
“The ultimate goal for this unit is a reduction in road accidents, injuries and fatalities, better compliance with traffic regulations, and a safer urban environment,” Nathanael said.
[email protected]
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