A group of Oranjemund residents have expressed dismay at what they term as irregular low-cost housing allocation to the local council, raising concerns over transparency and fairness in the process.

Community activist Metumo Imene alleged that many landless families, who have lived for more than 20 years in the town, were overlooked in the allocation of 56 available houses. 

He maintained that the beneficiaries are individuals with connections to the council. 

Imene demanded that the beneficiary selection process be redone, this time with participation from the local community housing committee. 

"There was no opportunity for the community to apply for houses. According to the council, they conducted a survey, and based on the survey, they identified. So, the question to ask is, did the survey reach the entire community of Oranjemund? What was the survey all about?"

Landless residents vented their frustrations over being overlooked in the allocation of the houses. Some residents claimed others were exploiting the housing saga for political points. 

The council's acting CEO, Festus Nekayi, explained that beneficiaries were selected based on their living in fire-prone conditions, whether they paid on time for the room they rented from the council, and whether they represented diverse ethnic groups. 

"It wouldn't serve any purpose, especially when we as a local authority are trying to, you know, put in all efforts, you know, to address the housing question; then on the other hand, you have what you call enemies of progress, probably. We do understand; some concerns may be valid. But, of course, as far as these allegations are concerned, they are misplaced."

The Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development was scheduled to hand over the houses on Wednesday.