Growing frustration is gripping the northern town of Oshikango in the Ohangwena Region as residents openly admit they are unlikely to vote in the upcoming elections, citing years of stalled development and unfulfilled promises.

Vendor Kamati Haindongo described the lack of development at Oshikango as an injustice.

Despite Oshikango's long-standing reputation as the "business hub of the North", the vendor says surviving here has become hard.

Haindongo says most traders walk long distances around town to sell their products, but their survival has been worsened by security officers who allegedly confiscate their goods.

He asserted that the officers neglect to register the items with the Helao Nafidi Town Council.

"You see these plastics? They never reach the town council. How many goods do they confiscate, yet none of them are accounted for? They take our things and resell them for their benefit. So why should we vote?"

Ngfitikeko Indongo, also a vendor at Oshikango, expressed frustration about the slow development in their town, adding that voting doesn't help them, only those in power.

"Ever since this country became independent in 1990 up to 2025, we as citizens have not benefited from anything. It feels like this country only belongs to those who fought for it, their children, and the war veterans. I won't vote."

Nestory Mtuleni is a security officer at a local shop. He shared that "We, the security officers who guard stores and properties, rarely receive salary increments, and we are still underpaid. Ever since this country gained independence, we have been hearing about salary increment plans, yet nothing has ever been implemented, and we continue to suffer. On top of that, we do not have a pension fund."

They also request the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to investigate the pace of development at Helao Nafidi Town Council.