Windhoek shack rent hikes spark outcry
Tenants charged more for sleepovers
While unlawful and dangerous, many Windhoek residents rely on illegal electrical connections for the shacks they rent in informal settlements.
Soaring rental prices for shacks – some of which are illegally built and rented out – in Windhoek's informal settlements are placing an unbearable burden on low-income residents, many of whom live without basic amenities such as electricity, sanitation and running water.Concerns are mounting as some tenants now pay as much as N$1 600 per month for makeshift rooms that lack access to these essential services.
A recent visit by Network Media Hub (NMH) found significant disparities in rental prices for shacks across the capital.
In Havana, one of Windhoek's largest informal settlements, residents report rental fees ranging from N$250 to N$600, despite it being illegal to erect the shacks and rent them out.
A local shack owner explained that this keeps prices lower than elsewhere: "The structures on this side are illegal, which makes renting illegal here in Hakahana, so it can't be more than N$600." The shack owner added that the price can be as high as N$600 if water and electricity are provided.
Electricity remains scarce, with many relying on dangerous illegal connections, and toilets are often shared among dozens of individuals.
In contrast, the more established area of Hakahana sees considerably higher rental fees.
A local elderly landlord reported charging between N$1 100 and N$1 300, depending on the size of the shack and whether water and electricity are provided.
"The price can go up, especially for people who stay with children or their boyfriends. I always add N$200," she explained.
No light
In Otjomuise's 7de Laan, monthly rentals are priced at under N$600 due to a complete lack of formal infrastructure and services such as electrical and water connections.
"It can never go up to N$1 500 because we do not have electricity," a resident said, while pointing at a tangled web of illegal wiring running through the community.
The City of Windhoek has acknowledged the growing crisis of illegal electrical connections.
"The City condemns the illegal bypassing of electricity," spokesperson Harold Akwenye said.
He added that it is illegal to rent out accommodation that is connected to bypass electricity. "This practice violates regulations and endangers lives.
"It poses serious safety risks, including fire hazards, electrocution and property damage," he stressed, while also placing a strain on the municipality's infrastructure and undermining revenue collection.
In response, the City is stepping up inspections through its electricity department and law enforcement while promoting community-based electrification programmes aimed at safe and legal access to power. Upgrading plans are also underway to formalise settlements and improve access to basic services, Akwenye added.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have slammed the government for failing to address the housing crisis. Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Inna Hengari has warned that "a nation where citizens cannot afford shelter is a nation stumbling on the edge of social collapse," she said at a recent budget debate in the National Assembly.
She called for sweeping structural reforms, including increased housing subsidies and better access to mortgage financing for first-time buyers.