The Walvis Bay Municipality has assured the public that it will structure, phase, and support the relocation of residents to Farm 37 with essential services.

This comes in response to criticism surrounding the reported plan.

This response follows concerns raised by the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), which warned that relocating residents to farm 37 without adequate infrastructure and permanent housing could worsen the living conditions and risk creating another informal settlement.

PDM called on the municipality to reverse the decision in its current form, recommit to the original township plan, and work with institutions such as the National Housing Enterprise and the Build Together Programme to deliver sustainable housing.

The Walvis Bay Municipality acknowledged concerns and emphasised that the proposed relocation forms part of a broader strategy to ease congestion in Kuisebmond while improving living conditions in a sustainable manner.

Its Public Relations Officer, Anita Kaihiva, stressed that residents will not be moved to an undeveloped area without support.

Kaihiva noted that preparations will include the provision of essential services before any relocation takes place.

She further noted that a formal need and desirability assessment has already been completed, confirming Farm 37 as suitable for future township development.

The relocation, she added, will proceed in a carefully planned and phased approach aligned with long-term urban development goals.