Established in 2016, Otavi's Kap n Bou informal settlement residents are saying the development of the area is drastically slow.

Although it has been declared as part of the town's location, a lack of basic services is many of the households' outcry.

The settlement is made up of about 500 households, whose owners illegally grabbed land to occupy plots in 2016.

Over the years, Otavi Municipality has been working to integrate the community; however, residents are saying life continues to be hard.

"The challenges that we are having here are that now that the council came, they made streets, but there are some streets that still need to be opened. We don't have water, we don't have electricity; why should we wait? We are not going to vote until we are satisfied," said Kap n Bou Committee Chairperson Wilfred Somseb.

Currently, none of the plots with shacks have access to standpipes, with residents having to share two water points.

Sanitation is also another concern, as well as escalating crime incidents, on which they are demanding the council to put up two high mast lights.

They also want consistent drought relief distribution, as many are unemployed.

"It's too dark; no electricity. We have been told we have to wait for electricity for next year. I don't know why we should wait for next year if this is now a location. Now the thefts, the robberies, everything is escalated. Now talking about the drought relief food, it's been a long time that they did not receive it over the past three months; they didn't receive it, but up to now it's promises that we are coming tomorrow."

The residents also want to be registered to access social and pension grants, which they claim is not reaching them.

Earlier this year, the Otavi Municipality indicated it has a housing backlog of 2,000 and needs 1,500 plots through its settlement upgrading programme.

Plots in informal settlements are to be sold at N$4,000 each, which residents say is expensive for many, as they are unemployed.