WINDHOEK – Students residing at the University of Namibia (Unam) main campus hostel are unhappy with the university’s decision to ban taxis from entering the university grounds, forcing students to carry heavy goods from the campus’ main gate to the hostel.
Taxis were in the past allowed on the university premises on condition that students were carrying heavy goods, but accompanied by a security guard to make sure no illegal stuff was smuggled into the hostels.
A source who wished to remain anonymous informed New Era that last week that she witnessed two female students from Emona hostel offloading about 20 plastic bags of groceries from a taxi at the main gate. Apparently when she inquired about the matter she as told by the security guards that they were ordered by the head of Unam security not to allow taxis onto the campus anymore.
When contacted for comment, Kabende Mazila the head of Unam security failed to comment on the matter saying that it is an internal issue therefore he did not have any right to elucidate and threw the ball into the court of John Haufiku, Unam’s public relations officer.
However, Haufiku said the university has a provision allowing taxis onto the university premises during the opening and closing of the semester as it is aware that students need transport for their goods in and out of the hostel.
He added that there is another provision whereby taxis are allowed to take students, mainly female, to the hostel if they have heavy goods to carry, provided there is a security guard accompanying them, but denied knowledge of the recent incident.
“I am not aware of this matter – it is news to me. I said what I know but I have to find out from the various parties involved, that is when I can establish if taxis have been banned under any circumstances to enter the university premises,” said a surprised Haufiku.