AR on warpath over demolition tender

ELLANIE SMIT The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement is set to drag the City of Windhoek to court over a reportedly N$10 million tender that will see the successful bidder demolishing illegal structures across the capital.However, City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said yesterday the budget for the tender was about N$360 000 and not N$10 million. She said the removal of illegal structures could mean anything and not necessarily homes.AR leader Job Amupanda said the tender is a “clear indication that the regime, despite electioneering statements about shacks, is not going to help our people, but cause more pain and suffering”.The City has advertised a one-year tender for the procurement of services to remove illegal structures on municipal land, as a result of land invasions. According to the advertisement a compulsory pre-tender meeting will be held on 15 April at the Katutura property management offices. The closing date for applications is 7 May. According to AR, in the tender documents it is required that the aspiring companies make use of bulldozers.“If there was ever a doubt that this regime and municipality hates the poor, this very tender must serve as a reminder that the regime does not care about the poor. This is an indication that the regime wishes to see the poor dead,” Amupanda said in statement. He said AR would not remain silent and allow the City to demolish the homes of the poor.He said they have already directed their lawyers, led by Kadhila Amoomo, to set in motion the legal machinery to challenge the tender in court.AR also called on all businesses people not put money first and allow themselves to be used against the poor. “In any case, we will be challenging this tender in court, and as such it will be a waste of time to tender.” AR said all Namibians must now see the regime for what it is, “an uncaring, evil and cannibalistic regime that hates the poor and only uses them during elections”. Amutenya said “things are being taken out of proportion. “I do not know why they are taking that route.”Amutenya said more details about the tender can only be given once she is in office today. She also said she is not aware of AR’s legal challenge. Last month AR gave the City six months to comply with a list of housing and land demands or face mass land occupations. Among these demands was an immediate stop to the demolition of shacks.

AR on warpath over demolition tender

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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AR on warpath over demolition tender

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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