Otji residents march for better services, debt relief

Frustrated Otjiwarongo residents took to the streets yesterday, demanding answers over a N$10.57 million proposed write-off of pensioners’ municipal debts, which council approved nearly four months ago but has not yet implemented.

Community activist Marchellinus Sanambi and other residents handed over a petition to Otjiwarongo municipality management committee chairperson Namibia Kandume, raising concerns over pensioners, land allocations, water meters and other municipal matters.

Among their demands, the residents criticised what they described as the exclusion of pensioners and other qualifying community members from a government initiative aimed at assisting vulnerable residents.

They demanded that the municipality comply with a ministerial directive and release the names of pensioners submitted for debt relief for review by the community.

Documents seen by Namibian Sun show that the Otjiwarongo Municipal Council approved the write-off of pensioners’ outstanding debts of 90 days and older on 7 May 2026.

The proposed debt write-off amounts to N$10 566 581.58.

Council documents state that the municipality's debt collection division had undertaken extensive credit-control measures to recover the outstanding amounts but had been unsuccessful because of pensioners’ financial circumstances.

Many pensioners live on fixed and limited monthly government grants, while their municipal debts have continued accumulating beyond their ability to pay, according to the council submission.

The document further states that writing off the debt would allow pensioners to access basic municipal services and prevent their services from being disconnected.

Still awaiting approval

A municipal progress update shows that a list of pensioners with outstanding debts was submitted to the management committee on 14 April.

The committee subsequently recommended that council approve the write-off on 29 April.

Council approved the list on 7 May, subject to ministerial approval, while a request for that approval was submitted to the ministry of urban and rural development on 18 May.

The ministry later issued a circular on 19 August requesting local authorities to submit comprehensive information on outstanding debts owed by pensioners, deceased residents and people classified as destitute for consideration of possible write-offs.

The municipality requires ministerial approval before implementing the pensioner debt relief.

Unhappy residents

Sanambi, meanwhile, said residents were frustrated by what they viewed as the municipality's failure to address long-standing community grievances.

The petitioners also demanded that the municipality refund N$1 550 which they claimed some community members had been forced to pay for faulty water meters.

Other concerns raised in the petition included alleged double allocations of plots and claims that residents who paid N$23 000 for erven about two years ago were still waiting to receive them.

The petition called for investigations into the allegations, as well as into the Otjiwarongo Build Together housing programme.

The document further contained allegations against municipal officials and councillors, including claims of interference with community members exercising their constitutional rights. The residents also referred to complaints they said had previously been submitted to institutions, including the Anti-Corruption Commission and police.

Residents have demanded a response by 8 September.

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