City of Windhoek Warns Residents Against Payment Boycott Amid N$932.7 Million Debt

The City of Windhoek has warned that a proposed municipal payment boycott could worsen its N$932.7 million outstanding debt and place additional pressure on its ability to finance essential services, including water, electricity and waste management.

In a media release issued on Friday, the City rejected a call by Khomas Residents and Ratepayers Association representative Shaun Gariseb urging residents to withhold payments for municipal services, describing the proposed boycott as a threat to its revenue collection and financial sustainability.

“The mass disconnection exercise is not an attempt to punish residents, nor is it evidence of governance failure. It is a lawful credit control measure,” the City said.

The municipality said revenue collected from residents and businesses is essential to meeting its financial obligations, including purchasing bulk water and electricity, maintaining distribution networks, removing refuse and keeping infrastructure operational.

It warned that widespread non-payment could weaken its ability to meet obligations to suppliers and contractors, potentially resulting in slower infrastructure maintenance, delayed capital projects and disruptions to essential services.

The City said the consequences would extend beyond residents with outstanding accounts, affecting households, businesses, schools and clinics that continue to pay their municipal bills.

The warning comes as the municipality intensifies its credit control measures, targeting accounts that have been in arrears for at least 30 days.

According to the City, account holders who have settled their bills or entered into payment arrangements and continue to honour them will not be affected by the disconnection exercise.

The municipality also disclosed that council approved debt relief interventions worth N$724 million between 2023 and 2025, with approximately N$383.9 million already written off to assist pensioners, orphan-led households and other qualifying residents.

The programme remains open, with qualifying residents encouraged to approach the City to determine whether they meet the requirements for assistance.

The City further warned that residents who default on their accounts could face interest charges, service restrictions, disconnections and legal recovery proceedings, with associated costs added to their accounts.

It said property owners remain liable for outstanding municipal charges, including arrears accumulated by tenants or occupants.

The municipality urged residents experiencing financial difficulties to engage its debt management division to negotiate payment arrangements or establish whether they qualify for debt relief.

“The City will do its part by delivering services, remaining open to dialogue and supporting those who are genuinely in need. We ask residents to do their part by paying for the services they use,” it said.