Keetmans keeps promise, disconnect govt offices’ water

Keetmanshoop mayor McDonald Hanse says the municipality has started collecting outstanding payments on water bills from government institutions, after disconnecting their water.In October, the council warned that if government institutions and businesses’ outstanding water bills are not paid, their services would be disconnected.This after the council revealed that private businesses, government offices and other institutions owed the municipality N$85 million, while residents owed a staggering N$127 million. In total, the municipality is owed N$212 million."I must say, there has been a big difference in those amounts, and people, as well as the education ministry, came forward and made arrangements for their debt. This means that schools have not been affected by the disconnecting of water at all," he told Namibian Sun yesterday.Community members questioned the council’s decision and bemoaned its timing, but the municipality reiterated that it would employ more aggressive debt-recovery strategies to recover millions owed.Too lenientDuring a community meeting held at the Mukorob council chamber, municipal officials told residents: "We have been too lenient and will now be more aggressive in the collection of money owed for municipal services"."This strategic initiative will be divided into three phases and is designed to address a critical issue of unpaid municipal accounts.“We understand the challenges that businesses face, but it is crucial for us to ensure that everyone gives their fair share for everyone to maintain the services we all depend on," Hanse said at the time.PhasesThe first phase started on 4 November with government institutions, and the second phase, set to kick off on 4 December, will target municipality staff members and councillors, while the third phase will target residential debt.Hanse urged Keetmanshoop residents to buy and install pre-paid water meters, of which the council acquired 1 000.In October, the council told Namibian Sun that 250 of the meters were ready to be bought and installed, but no further comment on the progress of this initiative could be provided.

Keetmans keeps promise, disconnect govt offices’ water

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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Keetmans keeps promise, disconnect govt offices’ water

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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