Hilka Park residents raise grievances during peaceful protest

Dozens of frustrated residents of Rundu&#039;s Hilka Park residential area held a peaceful protest last Friday to express dissatisfaction with what they described as “substandard housing and failing infrastructure” in the fast-growing residential development.The demonstration, led by community spokesperson Franz Kanjilu, began at the housing developer Armstrong Properties&#039; offices before concluding at the Rundu Town Council and the governor’s office. Protesters delivered petitions at each stop, including Bank Windhoek as a representative of financial institutions providing home loans, demanding accountability and urgent remedial action.“Most of us bought these houses thinking they were quality homes, but within months, cracks started forming, roofs began leaking and sewage pipes kept blocking,” Kanjilu alleged during an interview with Namibian Sun last week. “After the rains, our roads are gone – clearly because proper drainage was not planned,” he added.On Saturday, Armstrong Properties issued a media statement in which the company said all houses were built in accordance with plans approved by Rundu Town Council and Nored and that clients were contractually entitled to submit a list of defects within 30 days of moving in.The company claims all qualifying complaints submitted since 2018 have been resolved and dismissed allegations of structural failure or sewer defects.“There seems to be a misconception that Armstrong is responsible for defects indefinitely. We offer a standard three-month defect liability period, as is common in the industry,” the company stated, while threatening legal action over alleged reputational damage caused by the protest.Lasting solution sought However, residents argue that the three-month window is unrealistic. “You only realise leaks or cracks once the rainy season begins, and by then the warranty is over,” said Kanjilu. “We are paying for these homes for 20 years – it’s only fair that the developer is held accountable for at least two.”The protesters are demanding a joint meeting within seven working days with Armstrong Properties, the town council, banks and the governor to find a lasting solution. They insist that banks should be more thorough in property inspections before financing and that the town council must be stricter in monitoring construction standards.“We came peacefully this time, but if we’re ignored, the next step won’t be so gentle,” Kanjilu warned.By Sunday, the town council had not yet responded publicly to the petition.

Hilka Park residents raise grievances during peaceful protest

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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Hilka Park residents raise grievances during peaceful protest

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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