Deputy Mayor Sara Mutondoka wants people who rent space for shacks to pay extra money. She talked about this idea at public meetings last month. The plan makes yard owners pay fees for each backyard shack. More shacks mean higher fees. This works like a fine because many shacks catch fire often. After fires burn everything down, victims need help fast with tents, blankets, and food.
People across Namibia help during these troubles, but Mutondoka thinks the ones letting shacks stay should help pay for disaster needs. The city wants to build up cash savings ready for when bad things happen next time. Leaders have not picked the exact fee amounts yet. They first want to hear what regular people think about the plan. The deputy mayor asked locals to share their thoughts about fair prices.
The news split the town into different groups with different feelings. Some people agree with the idea. Lea Healao said the city council does not cause all problems by itself. She pointed out how twenty shacks packed into one yard create danger for everyone. Both health problems and fire risks grow worse when too many families squeeze together on small plots of land.
Other neighbors hate the idea completely. Nameya Lotto feels the city wants to punish honest people just trying to make ends meet. Many yard owners depend on rent cash from these small homes. Lotto explained how even people with jobs struggle to feed their families these days. She believes the city council failed to manage land problems and passes blame onto regular citizens instead.
The debate shows deep splits between those who see danger in crowded yards and those who need every dollar they earn from backyard rentals. Fire safety concerns bump against hard money needs for everyday families. City leaders must balance these different needs as they decide whether to move ahead with the new charges or find another way to solve the growing shack problem.
People across Namibia help during these troubles, but Mutondoka thinks the ones letting shacks stay should help pay for disaster needs. The city wants to build up cash savings ready for when bad things happen next time. Leaders have not picked the exact fee amounts yet. They first want to hear what regular people think about the plan. The deputy mayor asked locals to share their thoughts about fair prices.
The news split the town into different groups with different feelings. Some people agree with the idea. Lea Healao said the city council does not cause all problems by itself. She pointed out how twenty shacks packed into one yard create danger for everyone. Both health problems and fire risks grow worse when too many families squeeze together on small plots of land.
Other neighbors hate the idea completely. Nameya Lotto feels the city wants to punish honest people just trying to make ends meet. Many yard owners depend on rent cash from these small homes. Lotto explained how even people with jobs struggle to feed their families these days. She believes the city council failed to manage land problems and passes blame onto regular citizens instead.
The debate shows deep splits between those who see danger in crowded yards and those who need every dollar they earn from backyard rentals. Fire safety concerns bump against hard money needs for everyday families. City leaders must balance these different needs as they decide whether to move ahead with the new charges or find another way to solve the growing shack problem.
