Groot Aub better under Windhoek - councillor

Windhoek Rural constituency councillor Petrus Adams says Groot Aub’s transition to a settlement should not be rushed as it stands to benefit from falling under the City of Windhoek.

“If you look at the economic situation of the country, to bring it to council status will take Groot Aub back two to three steps,” he said.

According to him, conferring settlement status to Groot Aub would also mean that its residents would have to fund its infrastructure needs, adding that under the City, there was some assurance that the municipality would be responsible for these costs.

“We must weigh the pros and cons of wanting to achieve settlement status,” Adams added.

The link to the City also meant there was now a way to deal with an influx of people occupying land illegally at Groot Aub, he said.

‘Underground forces’

According to Adams, there were “underground forces” misleading Groot Aub’s residents into wanting settlement status, adding that there are ulterior motives involved.

“People are being told the City of Windhoek does not want to provide for Groot Aub; somewhere something is not right,” he said.

People, however, had a right to reject the extension of Windhoek into Groot Aub, he added.

“Our people do not want the City. I cannot force them into something they do not want to do,” Adams said.

The settlement fell within the boundaries of Windhoek when the municipality expanded its boundaries in 2011. Groot Aub was proclaimed an extension of Windhoek in 2017, despite widespread opposition from residents.

The village lies 50 kilometres south of the capital city.