EDITORIAL: We must handle house demolitions better

Forced evictions are becoming commonplace in Namibia lately. And they are often violent and without an iota of benevolence.Poor people, who often have fewer choices in life, including where to live, are usually the victims. The right to housing is encompassed in the Namibian Constitution under Article 95, which contains the provisions for the "Promotion of the Welfare of the People."Therefore, when the state, through its agencies such as town councils, demolishes the dwelling structures of its citizens or fails to avail land, which the country clearly has in abundance – it amounts to a clear violation of our constitution.The state has adopted a hostile and punitive approach to these demolitions. They wait until poor people put up their structures, which itself is a struggle because of the cost of materials, and then descend on them mercilessly like Buccaneer bombers on Cassinga.Yes, illegal occupation of land is anarchic and has to be managed. But you don’t counter it by sending bulldozers, tear gas and police officers armed to the teeth, to push around unemployed fathers, pregnant women and hungry children.The solution doesn’t lie in sending armoured vehicles and water cannons to the site. Creating an inclusive, caring society, in which each citizen’s basic needs such as shelter is catered for, is the ultimate and lasting solution. Forced evictions only exacerbate homelessness and destitution.

EDITORIAL: We must handle house demolitions better

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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EDITORIAL: We must handle house demolitions better

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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