Kaisosi Committee Chairperson Rejects Helmsman Claims Over Project Delays
By Anton Wokie
The Chairperson of the Kaisosi Suburb Committee, Maseka Isack Kalunga, has strongly disputed claims made by Helmsman Group that disruptions by land occupants contributed to delays in the Kaisosi housing development project in Rundu.
This comes after Helmsman Group issued an official statement acknowledging delays in the housing project while attributing some of the setbacks to community members who allegedly returned to the construction site and attempted to stop contractors from working. The company also cited shortages of construction materials, labour challenges, and delays in subsidy approvals from the Rundu Town Council as factors affecting progress.
Responding to questions regarding the status of the project, Kalunga confirmed that construction is continuing but described the pace as extremely slow.
“The company is progressing with delays. The construction is too slow. The major delays are on the material delivery and on the workers as well, they are not on the sites always,” he said.
Kalunga further suggested that the company could also be facing financial difficulties.
“I can say maybe the company is also facing financial challenges. There are so many delays,” he added.
While Helmsman Group stated that some houses had already been completed and handed over to homeowners, Kalunga clarified that those houses belonged only to the first phase of the project.
“Yes, the houses were handed over to the owners, but those are the ones from the first phase. On the current phase, none was handed over yet due to these delays. They are still in the process of finishing the houses, so they are incomplete,” he explained.
Kalunga also strongly rejected the company’s claims that land occupants disrupted construction activities, calling the allegations false.
“On the issue of landowners disrupting, that is a lie. Those claims that owners are the cause of delays or disruptions are a total lie,” he said.
According to Kalunga, issues involving field owners and compensation had already been addressed through engagements involving the community, government officials, and the company itself.
“Some of the field owners were already compensated. Yes, there were issues on the compensation from the council side and the minister’s directive dealt with that, but that matter was resolved after we went to court,” he stated.
He further revealed that discussions had taken place between the community committee, Helmsman Group, the governor, and the Rundu Town Council, leading to a resolution of the dispute.
“We discussed this matter with the company Helmsman, the governor and the council. The matter was solved with respect, and people stopped interrupting the construction. The delay is from the company side, not from the people, not even from one,” Kalunga stressed.
The committee chairperson also raised concern over homeowners who continue to pay monthly mortgage deductions for houses that remain incomplete.
“Yes, the people are being deducted up to now as we speak, for houses they are not living in. Many families are affected and they are facing these issues of paying from their accounts for houses that are incomplete,” he said.
Kalunga concluded by urging the company to improve its performance and complete the project.
“From my side, I will say the company is not in the stand as it used to be. I think they must pull up their socks and finish the houses so that the people can have their houses,” he said.
The latest remarks add further pressure on Helmsman Group as concerns continue to mount over the pace of construction, homeowner frustrations, and accountability surrounding one of Rundu’s most closely watched housing developments.
