Residents of Ndonga Linena in the Kavango East Region continue to battle water shortages and limited health services, they told regional leaders during a community engagement meeting held at Kangweru village.

At the meeting with the Kavango East Regional Council leadership, locals described daily hardships that begin with lack of safe water. 

Johannes Mandandi, chairperson of the local development committee, said pressure from a green scheme at Shitemo pushed people closer to the riverbanks, exposing them to crocodile attacks and forcing others to drink contaminated water.

“Shitemo has a green scheme that has pushed people to the riverbanks; now we cannot fetch water from the riverbank because now we have crocodiles. If we fetch water from the river, we are exposed to crocodile attacks. We do not have water,” Mandandi said, adding that the contaminated supply is causing diseases such as bilharzia and severe diarrhoea.

Health staffing shortages at local clinics were another serious concern raised by residents. 

Attendees also criticised delays in social grant payments after verification processes, saying the resulting stress is affecting pensioners. One resident warned that the situation could lead to deaths among the elderly if not resolved.

Councillor Anselm Marungu said the issues raised are legitimate and described a range of problems brought forward by the community, including schoolchildren being sent home over fees, and longstanding disputes around Shitemo land and the green scheme. 

He said the education director, Christine Shilima, provided clarification about the school-fees issue and that the Shitemo matter is now being handled at a higher level, with a positive outcome expected.

Marungu acknowledged government efforts over the years to address water and electricity needs but admitted gaps remain. 

“Government has made tremendous effort in addressing the issues of water and electricity. However, we cannot deny the fact that we still need to do more where there are visible challenges of water shortage and electricity,” he said, urging residents to engage with local development committees and attend meetings so their concerns can be taken to the constituency office for resolution.