Suzith Tjitaura
KEETMANSHOOP – The Keetmanshoop municipality on Wednesday threatened to disconnect water and electricity to government offices, businesses and institutions over unpaid accounts.
Mayor McDonald Hanse said at a press conference that the suspensions will be carried out in three phases, starting on 6 November. In the first phase, the municipality will suspend unpaid accounts for businesses, government entities and institutions.
“This strategic initiative is designed to address the critical issue of unpaid municipal accounts, secure our resources, and ensure that we can continue to provide essential services to all our residents,” he noted.
Accounts not settled by 3 November will face temporary suspension of water and electricity services.
“We understand the challenges many businesses and organisations face. But it is critical for us to ensure that everyone contributes their fair share to maintain the services we all depend on,” Hanse stressed.
The second phase, slated to start on 4 December, will target municipal staff and councillors, while the third phase, beginning in January next year, will focus on residents.
The municipality’s acting chief executive officer Lee Mwemba said the town owes Namwater N$32 million, while residents, government entities, institutions and businesses collectively owe the municipality over N$212 million for water, rates, taxes, electricity, land sales and other utilities.
Currently, the municipality’s total monthly revenue stands at N$6 million, with N$3.3 million earmarked for Namwater payments, and an additional N$5.2 million required for wages and operations.
Mwemba stated that out of 9 815 active customers, only 2 257 on average pay their accounts monthly.
“Those who do not pay include middle or even upper-class residents, people who are working but don’t pay their accounts. The non-payment hinders service delivery to the general public such as servicing of roads, servicing of land, and even our social services which we need to provide to residents,” he added.
Council chairperson Johannes Vries likewise urged residents to make timely payments each month to enable the municipality to continue functioning effectively, delivering essential services, and investing in improved infrastructure and future development.
-Nampa