CoW increases tariffs amid opposition
City Council approves 5% increase
A price increase of 5% for, among other things, water supply, sewage services, waste management and municipal rates and taxes, already came into effect on 1 October.The City of Windhoek (CoW) announced this price adjustment on Tuesday, saying the increase is applicable from 1 October; the date on which the notice in Government Gazette no. 8463 was published. This after the City Council already approved the price increase in June this year.
New charges are also proposed for the benefit of fire services within informal settlements (N$21.08) and disaster prevention assistance (N$901.88 per hour). The violation of erf boundaries is also now fined, up to N$490 per square meter for a major violation, according to the Government Gazette.
The replacement of a water meter will now cost 112.9% more at N$1 534.10, compared to N$720.74 which was applicable in the 2023-24 financial year.
This development comes on the heels of the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) that announced on Friday that its investigation into complaints against the Windhoek municipality's accounting practices has been completed.
According to the chief executive and secretary of the commission, Vitalis Ndalikokule, proposals have been submitted to the commission's board and are now awaiting the next NaCC board meeting in November.
The NaCC investigated complaints from various residents, particularly from Windhoek's Katutura settlements, which were submitted to the commission.
Community activist Shaun Gariseb says Windhoekers should keep all their account statements as evidence.
"We will sue the City of Windhoek for the illegal cutting off of power supply, the loss of income and unfair fines," he says.
Heading to court
Seven disgruntled Windhoek residents are also suing the capital's municipality, along with 29 other respondents who include the mayor, several council members, the Electricity Control Board (ECB) and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.
Elizabeth Beukes, Meriam Uiras, Pinehas Gaiseb, Eben Gomeb, Bernhard Murere, Dorothea /Nanus and Katrina Shivute question debts of hundreds of thousands of dollars, the unreasonable cutting off of services and irregularities in relation to the municipal accounting system. This court case continues on Thursday 24 November.
In an unrelated court case, a former teacher Rachel Joseph (83) sued the municipality after the CoW cut off her services last week.
"We [pensioners] have been caught out," she said outside court, specifically about debt relief that the municipality offered pensioners.
She says that after that, no arrangements are accepted anymore to be able to pay off large unexpected monthly bills. "It would be something else if we didn't want to pay, but how can I pay so much in a month. Where do we get that money?"
Judge George Coleman ordered the municipality to restore the water supply to her property.
When asked, Windhoek's municipality confirmed that the move to insist on full payment was made to avoid the further accumulation of pensioner debt.
So far, around 3 800 pensioners have taken part in the debt write-off campaign, which is still ongoing.
According to the municipality, residents owe more than a billion dollars. – [email protected]