Residents of Katima Mulilo Urban have voiced growing frustration over poor service delivery, lack of healthcare infrastructure and the government's sluggish pace in implementing critical development programmes.
Their concerns were brought to the national stage by their representative, Kennedy Simasiku, who addressed the National Council when he delivered his maiden speech with a clear message from his constituents.
"Residents of Choto, Makaravan West and Nova, for example, still use the bush when nature calls. They have limited access to electricity in their homes, and this is where the majority of learners who are attending primary school reside. They fetch water from common water taps, in some cases at midnight or even later than that."
Speaking on behalf of the community, Simasiku demanded answers about the N$500 million recently allocated for the formalisation of informal settlements.
Specifically, he questioned how much of that amount would be directed to Katima Mulilo and when it would actually reach the ground.
He stressed that the residents of Katima Mulilo want the relevant parliamentary subcommittees to monitor the project closely and ensure its implementation is not buried in bureaucracy.
Simasiku added that the situation at Katima Mulilo hospital is dire.
Due to the lack of equipment and specialists, patients are frequently referred to hospitals in Rundu, 500 kilometres away, or more commonly to Windhoek, over 1,200 kilometres from home.
"An amount of ten million was allocated for the upgrade of Katima Mulilo Intermediate Hospital in the 2024/2025 financial year, but little progress has been made, including the provision of equipment. Procurement of basic materials and medicine is a major challenge, forcing patients to buy medicine at private pharmacies at expensive costs. It cannot be allowed to continue. More often than not, the blame goes to the politicians who never sit on procurement committees or sign off on purchase orders."
Residents say they feel abandoned by a system that seems efficient only on paper.