Some residents of Gobabis are camping at the town's municipal head office, waiting for the local authority leadership to receive their petition.

The group says ageing water infrastructure and electrical networks, among other key services, are being compromised under the current leadership, which must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

A community activist at Gobabis, Veronia Kuzeeko, says the group had given notice before their gathering to hand over their petition, which the municipality agreed to.

Kuzeeko added that the group will continue to reside at the municipality building until all seven local authority councillors, including the town's Chief Executive Officer, come forth to receive their petition.

The group says internal fighting between some councillors also affects progress in the town.

"Our concern basically is service provision water points in our fast-growing settlement, especially the informal one, and the municipality is turning a blind eye to providing more water points and also water network in the town. Now and then in the formal areas we have water pipes bursting, so let me say the water infrastructure is dilapidated; it is from back then and is hampering development. The electricity network is also compromised. ECB came to do an assessment, and they made some recommendations on the improvement of the network, but the council turned a blind eye."

Councillor Elvire Theron pleaded with leaders to find ways so that they could address the situation. 

"It's not a good sign. Obviously, it seems like the people have a problem, and as leaders, we should come out and listen to the people and hear and see whether we can solve the problem. They are requesting all seven councillors; yesterday we were three, so they are saying that they are waiting for the other four."

The town's mayor, Melba Tjozongoro,'s mobile phone was unreachable when contacted for comment, while the Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Eises, said that she is currently on leave.