Windhoek Mayor Follows Up on Long-Stalled Toilet Project in Okahandja Park and Babilon

Windhoek Mayor Follows Up on Long-Stalled Toilet Project in Okahandja Park and Babilon. Windhoek Mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja returned to Okahandja Park and Babilon this week to follow up on community concerns regarding unused and unconnected public toilets. The follow-up comes after residents raised the issue directly with the mayor during a visit on 2 April 2025.

After consulting the relevant City of Windhoek department, it remains unclear whether the toilets—constructed on-site from concrete slabs—were ever officially handed over to the community. Residents insist no formal handover ever took place, with some noting they have lived in the area for over a decade without such infrastructure being activated or maintained.

The toilets are believed to have been delivered during the term of former councillor Zulu Shitongeni between 2015 and 2019 but have since fallen into disuse and, in some cases, vandalism. The mayor expressed disappointment over the unresolved status of the project and stressed the importance of accountability and proper project closure.

To address the issue, the mayor proposed a collaborative development plan between the City and the Regional Council, aimed at ensuring infrastructure is maintained and respected. She also confirmed that the City will launch a formal investigation and attend to necessary repairs.

Additional concerns raised by residents included the absence of street names—making it difficult for emergency services to respond quickly—and limited engagement by local committee members.