Hundreds of Windhoek people yesterday rushed to the City of Windhoek following an announcement that 96 plots in Otjomuise 5 were on offer to first-time buyers.
Many of the people in the long queues did not even know what “offer to purchase” means. They said they left their jobs and children unattended, desperate to get a step closer to a residential plot.
Many were angry about the City’s decision to charge a non-refundable N$100 fee per application form.
“They are doing a lottery with the poor. We are far more than the number of plots available; imagine the amount of money they are making today. This isn’t the first time I’ve paid a fee for a form here. I must pay the non-refundable fee and still be rejected it seems,” an angry Monica Nambelela shouted.
The plots are priced from N$190 260 to N$471 870. City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said the N$100 is an administrative fee, and it is a norm that all registration fees for tender sales are non-refundable.
Yesterday’s procedure included standing in three lines, which later became three mobs. First, people had to stand in a line to get their name on a list, and then their names were called from the list.
The next step involved receiving a form and queuing at the cashiers to pay the N$100, after which they joined another line where they received the application forms.
One woman, who identified herself only as Aune, says she is a cleaner and she hoped her and her husband’s combined salaries would be enough to afford a plot in Windhoek.
“I don’t know about the procedures or what the offer to purchase thing means. My friend just called me and said people are getting land and I must come with my N$100 and ID, so I quickly left work. I have been on many municipality waiting lists. Maybe this time I will be lucky, or maybe they are starting a fresh waiting list, I don’t know,” she said.
Asked why the City’s waiting list wasn’t used to determine who could buy the 96 plots, Amutenya said the City had entered into a public-private partnership agreement with a developer.
“The current sale is in terms of the conditions of the agreement. The City cannot unilaterally alter the terms and conditions of the contract with the private developer and therefore proceed with the sale to the general public and could not single out those on the City’s waiting list,” she explained.
More plots will be made available for purchase, Amutenya said.
“It is worth noting that there are three phases of residential properties to be sold in Otjomuise. The 96 properties currently offered for sale are the first phase only.
“Phase two with 153 erven and phase three with 120 will still follow. It is further worth noting that information sessions will be held next week informing the public on how to complete the forms,” Amutenya added.
GORDON JOSEPH