Presidential advisor in land storm 0 The youth advisor in the presidency, Daisry Mathias, has defended a letter she wrote to the City of Windhoek to speed up the land application of a local company.In a letter on a State House letterhead, Mathias said Ongus Developers had approached the president because they had experienced a “few challenges” pertaining to their application.
Ongus Private Property Developers are planning to establish a new township on the north-western outskirts of the city.
“I therefore submit enquiry to your good office on the status of the need and desirability approval and status of layout planning for the above applicant,” Mathias wrote. According to Mathias she is being accused of using her position for personal benefit, which she said is not the case.
She said as an advisor it is her duty to do due diligence as assigned by the president, who decides which advisor must attend to specific matters.
“Ongus is a private property developer who had written to the office and submitted grievances. Cases and escalations are reported to the office of presidency as deflected from government ministries,” she explained.
In the letter to the municipality Mathias suggested that granting land for the establishment of the proposed township would “reduce the housing backlog and demand for serviced land in Windhoek and by so doing contribute tremendously to government''s plans for land and housing provision.”
She also suggested in the letter that the approval should take approximately six months from the date of submission.
“However, this appears to be taking longer, the developers indicate submission to City of Windhoek in November 2015,” she wrote.
In response to Job Amupanda who posted the letter on social media platforms, Mathias explained that the “nature of the letter is of ENQUIRY and not a letter of endorsement as you allege. I have never endorsed any group for land and I will never do so.”
She also said that she had given permission for her involvement in this development to be investigated, adding that it “is misguided to believe every professional engagement is motivated by friendship”.
The mayor of Windhoek, Muesee Kazapua, said he was aware of the matter and it had been dealt with. He could not say what the decision was.
JEMIMA BEUKES