Okahandja informal residents grapple with water crisis

Residents of Okahandja&#039;s informal settlements, including Saamstaan, Vergenoeg, Promise Land and Ekunde, have been without water for the past two to three weeks, causing significant distress and hardship in the community.The ongoing water supply crisis in these areas has forced residents to trek long distances to a communal tap near the Samaritan Network to fetch water, only to face extended waits of up to seven hours.A resident from Saamstaan, who preferred not to be named, expressed his frustration, describing the situation as "really unacceptable."Uphill daily battlesResidents recounted the ordeal of walking long distances only to stand in lengthy queues for hours just to collect water. Another resident voiced their discontent, questioning the efforts of the authorities: "I seriously don&#039;t know what they are doing. Are they working or not, or just driving around?"The lack of water at community taps has exacerbated the daily struggles of residents.The situation reflects the broader issue of water scarcity in Namibia, which has been a persistent challenge for many communities.Municipal responseOkahandja municipality CEO, Alphons Tjitombo, promised that the matter would be addressed as soon as possible."A pipe burst, and the informal settlements were most affected due to the use of preliminary batteries that do not last. However, an order was placed before the incident, but the local supplier, Aqua Services, was out of stock - hence the delay," he said. "We will attend to the matter tomorrow because we have received water supply batteries that are sufficient to help residents of the various informal settlements," he added.Local authorities have not yet provided residents with a clear long-term solution to the water crisis, leaving residents increasingly frustrated and desperate.As the drought continues, the affected communities are calling for urgent intervention to restore their access to this essential resource.The prolonged water shortage not only hinders residents&#039; daily lives, but also poses serious health risks which further emphasises the need for a sustainable and reliable solution for water supply to Okahandja&#039;s informal settlements. - aurelia@myzone.com.na

Okahandja informal residents grapple with water crisis

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Namibian Sun 2026-08-26

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Okahandja informal residents grapple with water crisis

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Namibian Sun 2026-08-26

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