Allexer Namundjembo
Walvis Bay residents have rejected claimsby the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) that their recent public meeting with national leaders was politically motivated.
The residents, led by Kobus Van Schakwyk, said it is their constitutional right to engage national leaders on issues affecting the town..
In a statement on Monday they responded to IPC’s criticism of Saturday’s engagement between Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa and the community.
The meeting was initiated by concerned residents who invited Shaningwa and deputy minister of urban and rural development Evelyn Mwases-Taeyele to discuss the town’s growing infrastructure problems, including poor waste management, deteriorating roads, and a water and sewage crisis.
During the engagement, Shaningwa acknowledged the challenges and urged residents to hold their local leaders accountable.
Shortly after the meeting, the IPC described it as politically motivated and aimed at undermining the IPC-led municipality.
IPC claimed the event excluded opposition voices and was used as a platform for Swapo to gain political ground.
In their press release, the residents accused the IPC-led municipality of failing to address urgent challenges, citing the controversial Redforce agreement, poor waste removal, worsening roads, and escalating water and sewage problems as evidence of poor governance.
Van Schakwyk said the mayor was often absent or offered excuses instead of solutions.
“IPC must stop playing political games and acknowledge their inability to manage the town’s issues,” he said.
He also denied IPC’s claim that the Joint Walvis Bay Residents Association (JWBRA) organised the meeting, saying it was an independent community effort. They commended Swapo leaders for their openness and willingness to engage.
The residents expressed satisfaction with the engagement and commitment to pursuing solutions to improve life in Walvis Bay.
This follows Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes’ address on the town’s service delivery problems during an ordinary council meeting in June.
At that time, Forbes acknowledged that persistent low water pressure had lasted for two months and stated that shortages, which were initially expected only at night, had extended beyond that period.
Forbes also noted waste management problems, saying that despite regular municipal clean-ups, “major hotspots are filling up fast with waste.”
