Kavango leaders and communities oppose N$7 billion Windhoek water pipeline, demand river audit

Traditional leaders and community members in Kavango East and West are opposing NamWater’s proposed N$7 billion pipeline to Windhoek, calling for an audit of the Kavango River before the project proceeds. Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu stated that residents, traditional leaders, and regional authorities were not properly consulted during the planning stages. He questioned how NamWater could propose such a project without knowing the total volume of water in the river, especially given declining water levels and the fact that many local communities still lack safe water access. Mashare constituency councillor Petrus Kashumali accused NamWater and its consultants of “institutional arrogance,” noting that high-level Cabinet decisions were made without consulting regional leadership, traditional leaders, or communities along the river. Both councillors suggested desalination as a viable alternative. Shambyu Traditional Authority leader Sofia Mundjembwe emphasized that while communities are not against development, they fear the project's impact on the river, which holds cultural importance and supports livelihoods. She highlighted the disappearance of floodplains and concerns about reduced river flows affecting fish populations and ecological systems. Mundjembwe also questioned if alternative solutions, such as additional boreholes, had been adequately considered. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata did not provide a comment.