Rundu residents allege Swapo intimidation over election boycott
#namibiadecides2025
Rundu’s Tumweneni informal settlement residents have accused some Swapo members of intimidating them following their public threat to boycott the upcoming regional and local authority elections if their long-standing water crisis is not resolved.
The accusations emerged after a visit by Namibian Sun last week, during which residents expressed frustration over living without a reliable water supply since the settlement’s establishment in 2019.
A local Swapo representative however denied the allegation, saying he wanted to help the community identify solutions.
Informal settlement residents said a borehole drilled in 2024 has never functioned, forcing thousands of residents to walk long distances or rely on neighbours for water.
Home to more than 10 000 people – with over 90% registered to vote – Tumweneni is one of Rundu’s most populated areas. Residents say their patience has run out after years of unfulfilled promises.
“We have no water, and yet every election politicians come here with speeches and disappear after we vote,” one resident said in a telephone interview this week.
She claimed that soon after Namibian Sun's visit, she received calls from unknown people questioning whether she had organised a demonstration against government.
“They said we are telling people not to vote because there is no water, and that we could be arrested. But there was no demonstration. People just gathered because they are tired and thirsty. We only wanted to speak to journalists so that our story could be heard,” she said.
Residents claimed that a known Swapo activist in the area contacted them on Monday, saying a delegation of party members would visit the settlement to discuss the water issue.
However, the residents refused to attend the meeting.
“We told them they should only come if they are bringing water. We are tired of talk. We want action,” the woman added.
Swapo responds
Rundu Urban Swapo district coordinator Gabriel Hakusembe denied intimidating any community members and clarified that he reached out to help residents find solutions and not to interfere with their rights or political choices.
“I never intimidated anyone. I only asked for information because I wanted to understand what was happening. Those people are also our members. When they call us for help, I can’t refuse,” Hakusembe said.
Hakusembe said he had previously provided water containers to residents at his own expense and worked with authorities to identify ways to improve supply.
“I bought two containers for them to store water, and I used to fill them myself for free. Later, people started contributing small amounts, but they couldn’t sustain it. My goal is to help them get a proper connection so that everyone can access water consistently,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that the planned meeting with residents was politically motivated.
“I wanted to go there with the governor’s office and technical people to assess the borehole and see how we can connect it to electricity,” he explained. “I am not a councillor – I’m just using my knowledge to push for solutions.”
Hakusembe said social media coverage of the issue has “created confusion”, adding that it would be more productive for residents to engage directly with local authorities rather than resorting to online complaints.
Water woes continue
The Tumweneni settlement, established in 2019, still lacks basic services such as water, sanitation and roads. Residents say they have repeatedly petitioned the Rundu Town Council and regional authorities but have received little feedback.
“We’ve been promised water since 2021,” another resident said. “We are not asking for much – we just want to live like other people in town.”
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#namibiadecides2025
The accusations emerged after a visit by Namibian Sun last week, during which residents expressed frustration over living without a reliable water supply since the settlement’s establishment in 2019.
A local Swapo representative however denied the allegation, saying he wanted to help the community identify solutions.
Informal settlement residents said a borehole drilled in 2024 has never functioned, forcing thousands of residents to walk long distances or rely on neighbours for water.
Home to more than 10 000 people – with over 90% registered to vote – Tumweneni is one of Rundu’s most populated areas. Residents say their patience has run out after years of unfulfilled promises.
“We have no water, and yet every election politicians come here with speeches and disappear after we vote,” one resident said in a telephone interview this week.
She claimed that soon after Namibian Sun's visit, she received calls from unknown people questioning whether she had organised a demonstration against government.
“They said we are telling people not to vote because there is no water, and that we could be arrested. But there was no demonstration. People just gathered because they are tired and thirsty. We only wanted to speak to journalists so that our story could be heard,” she said.
Residents claimed that a known Swapo activist in the area contacted them on Monday, saying a delegation of party members would visit the settlement to discuss the water issue.
However, the residents refused to attend the meeting.
“We told them they should only come if they are bringing water. We are tired of talk. We want action,” the woman added.
Swapo responds
Rundu Urban Swapo district coordinator Gabriel Hakusembe denied intimidating any community members and clarified that he reached out to help residents find solutions and not to interfere with their rights or political choices.
“I never intimidated anyone. I only asked for information because I wanted to understand what was happening. Those people are also our members. When they call us for help, I can’t refuse,” Hakusembe said.
Hakusembe said he had previously provided water containers to residents at his own expense and worked with authorities to identify ways to improve supply.
“I bought two containers for them to store water, and I used to fill them myself for free. Later, people started contributing small amounts, but they couldn’t sustain it. My goal is to help them get a proper connection so that everyone can access water consistently,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that the planned meeting with residents was politically motivated.
“I wanted to go there with the governor’s office and technical people to assess the borehole and see how we can connect it to electricity,” he explained. “I am not a councillor – I’m just using my knowledge to push for solutions.”
Hakusembe said social media coverage of the issue has “created confusion”, adding that it would be more productive for residents to engage directly with local authorities rather than resorting to online complaints.
Water woes continue
The Tumweneni settlement, established in 2019, still lacks basic services such as water, sanitation and roads. Residents say they have repeatedly petitioned the Rundu Town Council and regional authorities but have received little feedback.
“We’ve been promised water since 2021,” another resident said. “We are not asking for much – we just want to live like other people in town.”
[email protected]
#namibiadecides2025
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