Allexer Namundjembo
The engineering department at the Tsumeb Municipality has been accused of forging building plans and approving designs that allegedly do not meet municipal standards.
Sources who spoke to the Windhoek Observer on condition of anonymity claim that some engineers alter or redesign building plans that initially failed to meet requirements and later approve them for use.
The Windhoek Observer has seen a building plan originally drawn last year by Star Innovations.
The version later submitted to the municipality carried different contact details from those of the company named on the document.
When contacted, the founder of Star Innovations confirmed he prepared a plan for the client but said the version at the municipality was not his.
“I drew a plan for the client, but not the one that appeared at the municipality,” he said.
He said his original drawings always include his personal contact number for technical queries.
“Even the number that appears there is not mine,” he said.
Attempts to reach the telephone number listed on the disputed plan were unsuccessful.
The founder referred this publication to the municipality for clarification.
Tsumeb acting chief executive officer Frans Enkali dismissed the allegations. He said no such matter has been formally reported to the council.
“There is no issue of that nature that was reported to the municipality,” Enkali said.
“That is why I am saying, when people who like rumours are there outside, they will talk about anything they dream about. You will hear that when we are sitting here, we are eating money, but in my office I do not have money. Those are just rumours created to tarnish the name of the council.”
Enkali questioned why those with information have not lodged formal complaints.
“Why are they not coming to report so we can address the issue? They are just painting the name of the town badly, which will drive investors away. We are not only talking about foreign investors; we are talking even about local ones. Somebody will say they will not set up their businesses in a chaotic town,” he said.
Sources also allege that some engineers at the municipality do not meet minimum requirements and are not registered with the Engineering Council of Namibia.
“Town planners are not registered, and even the workshop manager at the municipal workshop is not qualified. At the time when interviews were conducted, the person who performed poorly was appointed, while the person who performed the best was not given the opportunity,” the source claimed.
Enkali rejected claims that guesthouses are being built in residential areas, saying the public may be misinterpreting zoning rules.
“They are not guesthouses but rather apartments that accommodate more than one household,” he said.
He explained that towns are divided into residential, business, industrial and general zones. He said applications to build apartments require rezoning approval.
“When somebody wants to construct accommodation facilities in the form of apartments, they apply for rezoning, and it goes up to Windhoek to the planning board so that they approve. They are also given the density that the flats they are building should meet certain aspects,” Enkali said.
He invited residents who have concerns about zoning or building procedures to approach the municipality directly for clarification.
