Windhoek Mayor Visits Families Displaced by Havana Fire as City Mobilizes Emergency Relief. The City of Windhoek is responding to the aftermath of a destructive fire that left four families without homes in the Havana area over the weekend. On Saturday, a blaze severely damaged properties at Erf 394/2B, 394/3, 388/8, and 387/3B, leaving families displaced and in urgent need of assistance.
Windhoek Mayor, Councillor Ndeshihafela Larandja, accompanied by the City’s Chief of Emergency Services, Raymond Kapia, visited the affected families to assess the damage and hear firsthand accounts of the incident. Although the exact cause of the fire has not been confirmed, early indications point to a possible electrical fault at one of the properties, which led to the rapid spread of flames to neighboring homes.
The fire has particularly affected students from various educational institutions, including Welwitchia University, I-Care, the International University, and Namcol, as well as an 11-year-old primary school learner. Despite the total destruction of the structures, residents were able to save limited personal belongings such as beds and blankets.
In a show of solidarity, the City of Windhoek has stepped in to provide emergency support. The families have been temporarily sheltered in a large tent and have received 23 blankets, six double mattresses, and six quarter mattresses to help them through this difficult time.
Mayor Larandja expressed her sympathy to the victims and committed to briefing fellow councillors on the situation to consider possible support options from the municipality. She also highlighted the operational challenges faced by emergency services due to blocked access routes and urged residents to follow safety guidelines to ensure that emergency vehicles can reach affected areas without delays.