Living like prisoners in govt flats

Government has been accused of a lack of ethics and morals, for allowing their employees to live in atrocious conditions, including dilapidated buildings and overcrowded accommodation. This also includes ten San students who are living in a one-bedroom government flat. National Assembly Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson, Usutuaije Maamberua, said some people were living like prisoners in government accommodation. He said this yesterday following an inspection of government flats and houses in Windhoek, adding that taxpayer money is being wasted through this negligence. “It is horrible, undesirable, in a very bad state, Maamberua said when asked to describe the conditions under which government employees live. There are about 19 government flat complexes in Windhoek alone, excluding houses. The inspection uncovered, among other things, illegal occupants, overcrowding in flats and rundown and poorly maintained buildings. Maamberua referred specifically to Florence Court where the investigation found ten students from the San Development Programme, which falls under the Office of the Prime Minister, living in a single flat. One of the students said the flat is very overcrowded, but they did not have a choice, as there is no other accommodation available. They had been living there since last year. “Why does government allow people to stay in these conditions? This is about the dignity of the people. These students are put here by government. It brings out the question of ethics and morals. These students are being put in prison conditions, said Maamberua. An official from the Ministry of Works and Transport said he would immediately take the issue up with the Office of the Prime Minister to find out why ten people are living together in one flat. At the same flat complex, Namibian Sun was also shown a small electrical room, where two people had until a few days ago been living, until they were evicted. Also at Florence Court, concern was raised about the caretaker, Johannes Kasper, who is living in a garage. He is being paid about N$50 by each resident to keep the yard clean. He has to walk across the road to TransNamib railway station when he needs to use the toilet. Maamberua referred to this as “slavery conditions. Another small room at the complex is being used to illegally sell cigarettes and shoes. According to Ministry of Works’ officials they have issued several warnings to those involved, and the police have tried to intervene, but to no avail. At Luna Court seriously dilapidated buildings were seen, with paint peeling off the walls, holes in the roof and the outside toilet blocked. There were also illegal occupants staying in some of the flats. At one flat the residents were making fire in their kitchen, because there were no electricity, and the kitchen roof was burnt black. Maamberua stressed that human dignity, health risks and issues such as children and adults living together in one room needed to be addressed. At the Rocky Hill Flats the inspection team found broken windows, rubbish lying around, the roof falling apart and the security gates hanging by a wire. The outside of the flats were in a poor condition, but the inside was well-maintained by residents. According to ministry officials they are currently aware of about 30 illegal occupants and eviction letters have been drafted. Maamberua said there are many illegal occupants in government houses and flats, but the problem is bureaucracy. He said that even though people get evicted, the process takes very long and they stay on for years. He said the investigation is a follow-up on the Office of the Auditor-General’s report on the state of government accommodation. He said investigations started last year and Windhoek was the last leg. A report will be finalised and tabled in the new Parliament. Within the next two weeks the committee will meet with the ministry on the issues uncovered yesterday. WINDHOEK ELLANIE SMIT