Community activists have handed over a petition to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), demanding urgent action on their long-standing complaints about corruption, mismanagement and fraudulent practices tied to Red Force Debt Management CC.
The protestors are from the Katutura Residents Committee, Okahandja Concerned Group and Gobabis Right to Shelter Foundation.
The protest, held outside the ACC headquarters in Windhoek on Monday, follows years of frustration over unresolved cases involving local authorities in several towns.
The activists, who have been submitting complaints since 2019, claim that their reports regarding Red Force – a debt-collection company involved in managing municipal debts – have not been addressed by the ACC.
Despite repeated follow-ups, they said they have received little to no feedback, leading to mounting frustration among the communities they represent.
“We have been waiting for years. We are here to demand action, and we want answers from the director general himself,” said Immanuel !Aochamub, a representative from the Katutura Residents Committee.
“We will not rest until these issues are dealt with,” he demanded.
Among the most pressing concerns raised in the petition were allegations of faulty billing systems and excessive debt-collection practices, which the activists claim have placed an undue burden on vulnerable residents.
They also accuse local authorities in Windhoek, Gobabis, Okahandja and other towns of covering up corrupt dealings by Red Force, including the destruction of key evidence in some cases.
Although director general Paulus Noa was absent, his deputy, Advocate Erna van der Merve received the petition.
In her response, she acknowledged the gravity of the concerns raised.
She assured the group that their complaints would be examined within the time-frame specified in the petition.
“We take these concerns seriously. We are committed to looking into each case as soon as possible,” she said.
“We understand the urgency of the matter. We will ensure that the investigation is completed within the timeline you’ve set,” she stated.
The activists have given the ACC until 28 February 2025 to provide a substantial response.
If no progress is made by that date, the group has threatened to escalate their protest, including the possibility of organising a sit-in until their demands are met.
The petition outlined specific demands, including the appointment of special investigators to handle local authority corruption cases, and stronger protections to prevent the tampering and destruction of evidence. The group called for full transparency in the investigation of the Red Force contract renewal in Windhoek.
They argue it was carried out without proper process or public oversight.
“We are not just asking for action. We are demanding justice for ordinary people who are being exploited by this corrupt system,” said Veronia Mokaleng, a community activist from Gobabis.
“The damage caused by these practices is real. It is hurting the people who can least afford it,” she said.
Van der Merve expressed confidence that the Red Force case from Windhoek was nearing completion.
She reiterated that more information was needed from the activists to move forward with the investigation.
“We need specific details to ensure we are addressing the right issues,” she remarked.
As the group waits for the ACC to act on their petition, they remain determined to hold those responsible for the alleged corruption accountable.
They want to ensure that similar issues do not continue affecting other communities across Namibia.
-isipunga@nepc.com.na