Rehoboth divided over land deal
The Rehoboth Town Council appears to be divided over an application from a joint venture between a Chinese brickmaker and a local resident, lobbying to occupy land outside the town.
Rehoboth CEO Christophe /Uirab this week confirmed that his office had entered into a gentlemen's agreement with the company, which expires on 14 September.
According to /Uirab, the company has, despite objections from the community, occupied the land for about six months but has not yet paid a cent of the proposed N$6 000 monthly fee.
When asked whether the council can afford this kind of courtesy given its financial troubles, /Uirab said: “I do not think they will do funny things. I certainly do not believe the payment will be an issue.”
/Uirab also argued the “many” objections from council and community members are simply “personal” and should not be given much thought.
He added that he feels compelled to provide the company with an “ideal” piece of land to operate because it supplies bricks to government for the construction of a hostel in the town.
“They were operating elsewhere but the previous owner evicted them. They are supplying material to a government project so we must make a plan to give them a site. The people from the ministry have also questioned the issue of payment, but if we do not give them land then the project will come to a standstill,” he insisted.
According to United People's Movement (UPM) councillor, Lennie Pienaar, objections were tabled at a council meeting.
“Some of the nearby businesses including the abattoir, the Hobasen Rest Camp and the community trust which includes a community garden submitted objections. The council objected but it was decided to call a meeting with the business owners, but this meeting never transpired,” said Pienaar.
According to Pienaar, the company provides bricks to the Vooruitsig Primary School hostel, where the Rehoboth mayor Christina Blaauw is a principal.
“In fact it is strange if you say now the agreement was not signed, she told us in a council meeting that she had signed it because it is her school,” Pienaar said.
Attempts to contact Blaauw proved futile.
Community outrage
Firebrand community activist Abes Kaibeb said /Uirab's argument is an insult to the town's construction industry. According to him, there are plenty of brickmakers at the town that can supply the hostel construction with material.
“We cannot allow the Chinese to operate and provide unskilled labour while Rehoboth is full of unemployed builders and artisans,” said Kaibeb.
Meanwhile, Anti-Corruption Commission director-general Paulus Noa said an incomplete case of corruption has been registered against the company.
He called on the community members to return to the commission and provide more details that can support the claim that the town council has operated corruptly.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Rehoboth CEO Christophe /Uirab this week confirmed that his office had entered into a gentlemen's agreement with the company, which expires on 14 September.
According to /Uirab, the company has, despite objections from the community, occupied the land for about six months but has not yet paid a cent of the proposed N$6 000 monthly fee.
When asked whether the council can afford this kind of courtesy given its financial troubles, /Uirab said: “I do not think they will do funny things. I certainly do not believe the payment will be an issue.”
/Uirab also argued the “many” objections from council and community members are simply “personal” and should not be given much thought.
He added that he feels compelled to provide the company with an “ideal” piece of land to operate because it supplies bricks to government for the construction of a hostel in the town.
“They were operating elsewhere but the previous owner evicted them. They are supplying material to a government project so we must make a plan to give them a site. The people from the ministry have also questioned the issue of payment, but if we do not give them land then the project will come to a standstill,” he insisted.
According to United People's Movement (UPM) councillor, Lennie Pienaar, objections were tabled at a council meeting.
“Some of the nearby businesses including the abattoir, the Hobasen Rest Camp and the community trust which includes a community garden submitted objections. The council objected but it was decided to call a meeting with the business owners, but this meeting never transpired,” said Pienaar.
According to Pienaar, the company provides bricks to the Vooruitsig Primary School hostel, where the Rehoboth mayor Christina Blaauw is a principal.
“In fact it is strange if you say now the agreement was not signed, she told us in a council meeting that she had signed it because it is her school,” Pienaar said.
Attempts to contact Blaauw proved futile.
Community outrage
Firebrand community activist Abes Kaibeb said /Uirab's argument is an insult to the town's construction industry. According to him, there are plenty of brickmakers at the town that can supply the hostel construction with material.
“We cannot allow the Chinese to operate and provide unskilled labour while Rehoboth is full of unemployed builders and artisans,” said Kaibeb.
Meanwhile, Anti-Corruption Commission director-general Paulus Noa said an incomplete case of corruption has been registered against the company.
He called on the community members to return to the commission and provide more details that can support the claim that the town council has operated corruptly.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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