I'd rather die doing what's right - Sankwasa

Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa says he has become a target of threats and surveillance linked to his reform agenda, but insists he is prepared to risk his life rather than allow the country to “deteriorate” under his watch.

Speaking in an interview on Nampa’s Behind the Wheel TV show, Sankwasa said his efforts to confront dysfunction in local authorities and the housing sector have placed him in the crosshairs of both political and unknown actors.

“You see, I’m coming in and changing things. There is a choice I have to make: either I become a threat and do nothing while collecting a salary and let the country go to the dogs - or I act,” he said.

“When the country deteriorates, history will ask: Sankwasa was here - what did he do? Why didn’t he act?”

Sankwasa revealed that he has already experienced intimidation, including being followed.

“My vehicle has been followed on two occasions, including in the Zambezi Region. Even before I arrive, people already know I’m there,” he said.

“I would rather do what is right and die for it than avoid doing the right thing out of fear and still die anyway.”

He added that security risks are part of public service and should not deter leadership.

“If there are risks, those responsible for security must do their job. In politics, you never really know who is with you and who is against you,” he said.

The minister also acknowledged speculation surrounding the deaths of two members of his security detail, saying the incidents raised concern, although he stopped short of drawing conclusions.

“Yes, it did cross my mind,” he said when asked whether foul play could have been involved.

‘Local authorities biggest headache’

Sankwasa was equally blunt about governance failures, describing local authorities as the country’s “biggest headache”.

“The biggest headache is local authorities. That’s the biggest problem,” he said.

He pointed to weak capacity among councillors, arguing that many struggle to interpret legislation, creating space for manipulation by more educated officials.

“You find that CEOs manipulate councillors. They misdirect and misadvise them, and decisions are then hidden behind council resolutions,” he said.

He also raised alarm over financial mismanagement, revealing that most local authorities have not been properly audited in nearly a decade.

“Most local authorities have not been audited since 2015. And where audits exist, they are either adverse or non-existent,” he said.

Despite this, government continues to allocate funds.

“You cannot keep throwing money into a bottomless pit where nobody can explain what happened to it.”

Land and housing inequities

On land allocation, Sankwasa accused local authorities of favouring investors over ordinary citizens.

“You find people have been on waiting lists for 15 to 20 years, yet investors get land overnight - and at extremely low prices,” he said.

He claimed some investors acquire serviced land for as little as N$65 per square metre and resell it for up to N$900.

“That puts land far beyond the reach of the ordinary person.”

He added that much of this land is serviced using public funds, effectively enabling private profit from state investment.

Housing overhaul planned

In response, government is shifting its approach, with plans to restructure the National Housing Enterprise (NHE).

Sankwasa said the entity will be repositioned to focus on both housing finance and construction, including a subsidiary to provide affordable loans to low-income earners.

“Even cleaners must be able to apply for housing finance at affordable rates,” he said.

He also signalled a possible return to direct state-led housing construction, particularly for civil servants.

“Before independence, government built houses for civil servants. There is nothing wrong with revisiting that strategy,” he said.

Namibia faces a housing backlog estimated at 800 000 units - a significant shortfall in a country of just over three million people.

Sankwasa said the private sector should focus on higher-income housing.

“They are in business to make profit. They should build for those who can afford houses costing N$1 million or more,” he said.

He rejected claims that affordability compromises quality.

“Price does not determine quality. What determines quality is proper composition and supervision,” he said, adding that inspectors and engineers will oversee construction.

He also dismissed prefabricated housing as a long-term solution.

“We are looking at houses that can last 50 years. When a family buys a house, it must serve the next generation,” he said.

With government pushing to deliver at least 10 000 houses as directed by the President, Sankwasa said reforms can no longer be delayed.

“Things must work out,” he said.

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