A group of SWANU Party members at Kalkfeld have taken to the streets to voice their grievances against the effects of water debts, unemployment, and a lack of updates on plans for the settlement's intended upgrading to village council status.

The residents were led by Mbango Nandova, who called on the regional council to react to the petition, which proposes various interventions to stimulate growth at the settlement.

The residents gathered at the Kalkfeld Resettlement Office to submit the petition, but were snubbed by authorities.

In the petition, they are demanding a water debt write-off, budget disclosure, youth empowerment, sanitation, and economic growth issues.

"We urge the Regional Council to write off these water debts and implement feasible payment plans allowing residents to pay off any outstanding balances over a period of three to five years. Local employment opportunities at Kalkfeld are primarily inhabited by its residents, therefore, we firmly believe the job opportunities within the town should prioritise ready residents over individuals from out of town. We urge the regional council to take immediate action to address waste management and sanitation concerns in Kalkfeld."

The group also wants the regional council to share information with residents on mining operations in the area, including allocations of resettlement farms and plot distributions.

Nandova has given the council five working days to respond to the petition failure, which will result in them locking the gates of the resettlement offices.

Otjiwarongo Constituency Councillor Marlene Mbakera stated that she did not snub the residents, saying her office was not notified of any grievances. 

"For me, it's the first time I've heard about the petition. I am not aware, my office is not aware, therefore, I'm still waiting to receive the signed petition, of which I will respond. For now, I don't have any comments. I don't know what the petition entails or the content of the petition."