Omaruru, Henties Bay, and Arandis councillors did not attend the Independence Day celebrations at Katima Mulilo in their official capacities after the Erongo Governor withheld their VIP tickets.

Erongo Governor Neville Andre says the councillors must first address community issues in their towns before attending celebrations.

The Independence Day organising committee gave 50 VIP tickets for each region to send their public office bearers to the national celebrations.

However, the Erongo Governor has excluded leaders from Omaruru, Henties Bay, and Arandis.

A tense community meeting unfolded at Arandis this week as residents continued to demand land and housing.

The gathering got off to a shaky start as residents initially refused to enter the community hall where discussions were scheduled to take place.

Residents of Arandis streamed to the Arandis community hall to attend a meeting called by the town council.

At first, the residents temporarily boycotted the meeting as they were asked to make a payment of N$1,500 for the venue.

A number of dissatisfied residents from Arandis have been camping out in front of the Town Council, demanding land, since Sunday.

The residents, mainly elderly individuals, and pregnant women told the nbc News team that they are disheartened by the continuous need to rent accommodation. 

In light of this frustration, they have chosen to spend the night at the location with the intention of submitting their fourth petition to the town council.

One person died in a fatal accident this morning on the B2 road outside Arandis involving a single cab bakkie and a truck. 

The accident was caused by sandstorms.

Strong east winds have battered towns on the central coast since Sunday, bringing with it large clouds of dust and sand that form dangerous dunes on the road.

Erongo Regional Community Affairs Commander, Inspector Ileni Shapumba, cautions road users to drive safely as the mini dunes are blocking parts of the road between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

More than 100 senior citizens of Arandis staged a demonstration over alleged poor management by the town council.

The senior citizens have also appealed to the Council to write off their debts.
 
The elderly accuse the council of keeping tenders aside for friends and families of those in the council management.
 
They say this contributes to the high unemployment rate among residents of the town, particularly the youth.

Over a hundred senior residents of Arandis staged a demonstration against alleged high rates, taxes, and water bills and demanded a total write-off of debt by the town's municipal council.

The Erongo Governor has called for the closure of the JTD Mining Group as the working environment is not conducive for employees and could pose a health hazard.

When the nbc News team arrived at the mine, they found local workers crowded into tiny rooms with one window.

However, their Chinese colleagues are living in proper accommodations, much better than their Namibian counterparts.