Big and illegal in Eveline Street

Written by Patience Nyangove

Thursday, 01 October 2009

EVERYTHING on Eveline Street comes big, the crowds, the patrons, car washes, and not to be outdone, crime.



Imagine 63 bars and shebeens, some dingy and some neat, competing in every aspect; loud music, braai stands and a host of different types of beers, imported and local, on this less than 3-km stretch in Windhoek’s Katutura’s high density suburb, Greenwell Matongo.

Of the 63 bars and shebeens, the Windhoek Municipality says only six are legally registered while the rest – 57 - are operating illegally, milking away the City’s revenue.

Out of the other 63 businesses operating in that street which include carwashes, home shops, take-aways, hair salons, cell shops, 58 are also operating illegally.

Muggings and thefts are now synonymous with the name Eveline Street.

Eveline Street is where the cream meets the dust, posing stark contrasts, from the designer apparels versus the rags; slick wheels against torn up sandals; where the who-is-who of Windhoek mix and mingle with the poorest of the capital.

Competing for attention are the many watering holes gushing out the beloved gift from deep below while car wash boys uncaringly use water, a precious commodity in this arid country.

The bars and shebeens on Eveline Street open as early as 06h00 and close shop as late as 04h00 - seven days a week, all round the year.

Alcoholic beverages on offer include ciders, spirits, lagers that are sold at an unbeatable “pump price” and with only N$200 you can drink until you drop.

Of concern to those living in Eveline Street is the high crime rate since hardly a week passes without sounds of gun shots, while muggings have become an everyday phenomena.

This does not, however, concern the patrons who feed on the street’s delicious braai popularly known as kapana which is roasted on braai stands along the street.

Apart from all the glamour, a majority of Eveline Street residents say they have fallen prey to the fame that has come with the many shebeens and bars and they believe the police are not doing enough to protect them.

The residents are now scared of walking in the street after nightfall despite the fact that dozens of guzzlers would be all over the street drinking.

“I don’t feel safe at all living in Eveline Street. I make sure that as soon as the sunsets I am indoors to avoid being mugged or raped. The police here are useless. They don’t help us.

“Imagine, I stay a short distance from the satellite police station but if you call for help they won’t come. If you go to them, you will either find one police man or they will tell you they don’t have a car to come and attend to you,” said a 46 year-old woman who has been staying in Eveline Street for the last five years.

Another Eveline Street resident who gave his name as Tuyoleni concurs with her accusing the police of failing to protect them at night by conducting patrols.

However, he feels that the street is very safe during the day.

Yet another long time Eveline Street dweller, Lazarus says police officers should be undercover when they patrol the street for them to effectively assess the situation.

“If people see the police coming, they pretend to have some order. If you walk in this street after 21h00 thieves will mug you, strip you naked and take all your clothing.”

Other residents said the noise from the radios and jukeboxes made it very difficult to sleep at night.

“You can’t really have a good night’s sleep because of the noise from the many radios all playing at maximum volume.”

Nampol spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Hophni Hamufungu, said the high crime rate in Eveline Street, could be attributed to alcoholism.

“It’s very difficult to say what really causes the high crime rate, however alcoholism is a very major factor. When people get drunk they don’t think properly like when they are sober. Late hours also are always the best time for criminals. People some times quarrel and end up fighting while others fall prey to criminals on their way back to their homes.”

Hamufungu said however police are taking measures to try and reduce the high crime rate along Eveline Street.

Windhoek City Municipality Public Relations Officer, Liz Sibindi said the City Council has recognised the natural transition as well as the facts on the ground and approved Eveline Street as a business corridor as per council resolution 184/08/2006.

Sibindi said however the City has had community meetings to assist many of the residents to legalise their operations either by re-zoning or applying in terms of the Windhoek Resident occupation policy.

“This exercise is still ongoing and once completed the City aims to assist many of the residents in the north western township to formalise their business operation in line with the Windhoek Town Planning Scheme,” she said.