A group of Katima Mulilo residents staged a demonstration and submitted a petition to the Katima Mulilo Town Council to formally object to the proposed sale and lease of land by them.

The youth-dominated group noted that the town continues to observe public land disposition in what they called non-transparent and private processes without public engagement.

The demonstrators say they have seen plots being distributed in a manner that lacks accountability and meaningful community consultation.

Spokesperson of the demonstrators Owen Mahoto read the petition.

"The conduct of the Katima Mulilo Town Council in selectively allocating land to politically connected individuals, foreign nationals, and entities linked to councillors, while systematically sidelining local youth, residents, and local business owners, amounts to a violation of Article 10 of the Namibian Constitution. By failing to treat all residents equally and creating unequal access to public resources based on social, political, or economic status, the Council has undermined the constitutional guarantee of equality before the law and the right to freedom from discrimination."

The demonstrators further alleged that Katima Mulilo Town Council refuses to disclose public records, like the minutes of Council meetings, land allocation resolutions, full particulars of beneficiaries, land valuations, and related correspondences. 

The group demands  that no sale or lease of the land listed in advertisement in a local newspaper  proceed unless proper and inclusive public consultations are conducted with the residents of Katima Mulilo. 

The demonstrators gave Katima Mulilo Town Council a deadline of next Thursday to respond to their concerns. 

The petition was received by the Katima Mulilo Deputy Mayor, Lasken Sikosi.

"We are promising you that we will do as you have demanded; we will revert back to you after studying your petition. Thank you so much."