The government has intensified the eviction of illegal dwellers of state-owned accommodation.
A Namibia Defence Force employee, Rita Ipinge, who allegedly lived in a government flat illegally, was evicted this morning.
Rita Ipinge, a cleaner at the Ministry of Defence, has been living in a government flat since 2015.
Ipinge says she had earlier received several eviction notices but has repeatedly appealed, saying she cannot afford private accommodation in Windhoek.
"My letters are there in the house. I always reply that, honourable, Edie, or whoever is in charge, I'm very sorry that I have nowhere to go. I mean, often and really on my peace lap, I cannot afford it. I have looked for accommodation around Windoek."
She says the uncertainty has also affected her children and her own well-being, and she has sought professional help.
Hundreds of people illegally occupying government houses face eviction as the Public Assets Management Agency (PAMA) moves to address the long-standing problem of unauthorised occupation of state-owned accommodation.
PAMA is stepping up efforts to address illegal occupation of government flats, with some occupants having ignored eviction notices for years.
CEO Christophine Itembu-Naunyango says some are no longer eligible to live in the houses, while others obtained keys from former government employees or family members.
The agency is now working on reforms to manage eligible occupants and ensure they pay the applicable rental rates.
"The rule is very, very simple. Once you are a civil servant, that's rule number one, and then you obviously are entitled to get the government house. In the moment, you're no longer a civil servant, irrespective of what ministry or OMAs you are. OMAs are offices, ministries, and officers of the government. Unfortunately, you need to give up that accommodation. And then one of the rules is that, in fact, some of the employees, if you change that ministry where you used to work, a specific ministry, then that also illegalises you, obviously, and you need to hand over the key back to the ministry."
Itembu-Naunyango says government housing remains a national challenge requiring intervention beyond the Ministry of Works and Transport.
PAMA says its reforms are intended to bring more occupants into the legal system while ensuring government accommodation is allocated to those who qualify.