Close to twenty vendors operating from the Keetmanshoop Open Market, owned by the Namibia Industrial Agency (NIDA), are about to lose their only source of income after being instructed to vacate their stalls due to unpaid rental fees.

Rental fees for the stalls range between N$500 and N$1200. 

Vendors told nbc News that officials from NIDA ordered them to vacate their stalls without any prior eviction notice due to falling behind on their rental payments.

They admit that the rental fees became too much to keep up with while business was slow during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.

They suggest NIDA management come up with a reasonable payment plan that would enable them to pay off their debts.

"NIDA closed our business without notice; number two, there was no official confirmation letter from NIDA to ask to close; it was only verbal. Number three, NIDA only indicated the amount we owe them, they never came with any statement to say now, from this period of time, you guys owe us this money, they just came with a huge amount," said group spokesperson Vaino Hango.

The vendors are calling for an audience with NIDA Management. 

The vendors say their livelihoods will be affected should NIDA management succeed in their plan to evict them. 

Wessel !Nanuseb, NIDA's Corporate Services, and HR Manager, confirmed the tenants' eviction, saying the decision is effective countrywide, not only at Keetmanshoop.

!Nanuseb says affected tenants were informed through notices placed in the newspapers and on social media.

He urges those disputing their outstanding rent amounts to approach the parastatal's finance department, adding that tenants can enter into payment plan agreements towards settling these arrears.

!Nanuseb did not rule out legal recourse, though, to be pursued against those who continue to ignore their debts.