Opuwo sells sport grounds The Opuwo town council has sold sport grounds developed by the Ministry of Sport to property developer Erastus ''Chicco'' Shapumba on condition that he will build a new sport complex for the town.According to a document seen by Namibian Sun, the council''s management committee agreed at a meeting in February 2013 to sell the Opuwo sport complex situated in the centre of the town to Shapumba, who wanted to develop a shopping centre.
According to the conditions attached to the sale, Shapumba will build a new sport complex behind the OK supermarket.
According to council sources Shapumba bought the 20 hectares of land for N$1.3 million and paid it in June this year.
The council''s CEO, Alfons Tjitombo, whose term of office ended last week, refused to provide information on the deal, saying he was not mandated to talk to Namibian Sun.
“Just stick to your sources, I have no mandate to talk to you, thank you,” he said.
In June this year, a group of Opuwo community members demonstrated against the deal. They stated in their petition that the council had sold the sport complex without giving people the opportunity to submit objections.
In response to the petition, Opuwo mayor Albert Tjiuma said the council was investigating the land
deal.
When asked when he is going to construct the new sport complex, Shapumba refused to comment and referred all questions to his lawyer.
“I am very busy. You better ask my lawyer,” Shapumba said before he hung up the phone.
The council sources also said the Ministry of Sport had not been consulted before the land was sold.
When asked for comment, ministry spokesperson Aina Shikesho said: “The matter has been taken up with the relevant directorate. However, the director of sport is currently out of office. As soon as he is in the office, the ministry will do its best to provide you with a response.”
ILENI NANDJATO