The sewage system at Katima Mulilo faces disaster as old pipes crumble into the soil. Town Council CEO Raphael Liswaniso told The Namibian yesterday that infrastructure designed for 8,000 people must serve a population of 46,401. Sewage problems plague the New Look, Soweto, Ngweze, Greenwell, and Boma areas. Houses built above these lines make repairs nearly impossible because pipes installed before 1980 have disintegrated.
The government set aside N$491 million over three financial years for a treatment plant. This addresses only part of the problem since existing lines cannot transport waste to any new facility. An additional N$500 million would need to be spent to replace the entire system. Current pump stations run constantly despite their age, causing weekly breakdowns.
Resident Alphonsina Libetwa endures sewage flowing into her home daily. The smell forces her to stay outside or sleep at her sister's house. She reports blockages immediately, but council responses come late. Another resident, Mackien Masule, keeps his children indoors because sewage fills his yard frequently.
Former health minister Richard Kamwi warns that this creates perfect conditions for cholera outbreaks. He believes the central government must step in before the disease spreads through the community. Staff replace pumps every two weeks at great expense—each pump costs more than N$50,000.
The government set aside N$491 million over three financial years for a treatment plant. This addresses only part of the problem since existing lines cannot transport waste to any new facility. An additional N$500 million would need to be spent to replace the entire system. Current pump stations run constantly despite their age, causing weekly breakdowns.
Resident Alphonsina Libetwa endures sewage flowing into her home daily. The smell forces her to stay outside or sleep at her sister's house. She reports blockages immediately, but council responses come late. Another resident, Mackien Masule, keeps his children indoors because sewage fills his yard frequently.
Former health minister Richard Kamwi warns that this creates perfect conditions for cholera outbreaks. He believes the central government must step in before the disease spreads through the community. Staff replace pumps every two weeks at great expense—each pump costs more than N$50,000.
