Sankwasa’s debts at centre of Redforce court battle

Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa’s alleged long history of unpaid debts — personally and through entities linked to him — lies at the heart of a High Court battle launched by debt collection firm Redforce, which accuses him of waging a vendetta after being held accountable.According to court papers filed by Redforce’s chief administration officer, Selma Nangombe, the company had been engaged since 2017 to collect several debts owed by Sankwasa, his family and companies linked to him — including municipal arrears at Katima Mulilo and two Agribank loans.Nangombe’s affidavit reveals that two loan accounts at Agribank, registered in the names of Sankwasa and his wife, were handed to Redforce in 2017 for recovery. Both were eventually settled, but the firm says this was not the end of the minister’s indebtedness.More recently, in 2022, two Katima Mulilo municipal accounts linked to Sankwasa were also handed to Redforce after years of alleged non-payment. One account was for Erf 305 at Boma in Katima Mulilo, and another for Erf 1289 in Ngweze — a property reportedly occupied by his daughter, Loide. Both accounts, the affidavit says, were repeatedly disconnected due to arrears, with more than N$140,000 recovered in total.“Water services to the Boma property were cut off in May 2023 and to the Ngweze property twice — in September 2023 and May 2025 — for persistent non-payment,” Nangombe stated. She added that KYC forms completed by the minister’s daughter confirmed the family’s connection to the Ngweze property.Redforce alleges that these debt recovery actions angered Sankwasa, who later used his ministerial position to retaliate. On 4 August 2025, the minister issued a sweeping directive instructing all municipalities and town councils not to engage or renew contracts with Redforce, claiming the company’s work had caused “economic and political problems” for residents.“The minister has made it his mission to rid Namibia of Redforce,” Nangombe said. “His directive is not a policy decision — it is revenge for being held accountable for his own debts.”The company argues that the directive is unconstitutional, unlawful and defamatory, and that it violates Redforce’s right to trade and to fair administrative action.Redforce’s affidavit further alleges that Sankwasa met its CEO, Julius Nyamazana, at the Windhoek Country Club earlier this year, where he reportedly vowed to end all of Redforce’s municipal contracts. Weeks later, the directive followed – the company told the court.When Redforce’s lawyers demanded legal justification for the decision, the minister reportedly refused to respond. In a media interview, he said he would “never retract” the order and dared the company to “go to court”.On The Evening Review TV talk show aired on 13 August, Sankwasa defended his actions, claiming Redforce’s operations amounted to “political sabotage” and alleging the company was not Namibian because Nangombe is married to Zimbabwean national Nyamazana. Redforce dismissed these remarks as “irrational, xenophobic and defamatory”.Several municipalities have refused to comply with the directive. Katima Mulilo Town Council said it would not heed it, Okahandja Municipality labelled it “politically flawed and unlawful”, and the City of Windhoek said its engagement with Redforce remained cost-effective and compliant with the law.Redforce is now asking the High Court to review and set aside the minister’s directive and has filed two separate defamation suits against Sankwasa.Debt collector has filed an N$1.1 million defamation lawsuit against the minister, citing a series of public statements and directives the company says damaged its reputation and business standing.The summons cites multiple follow-up comments attributed to Sankwasa, including statements published in two local dailies, as well as during a TV talk show, which aired on 13 August 2025.Among the statements listed in the court papers are allegations that RedForce was “exploiting citizens”, had “municipal CEOs and councillors on its payroll”, and was involved in “political sabotage” against the ruling party.RedForce contends the remarks were made with the intent to injure its reputation and dignity, calling them “wrongful and defamatory”.

Sankwasa’s debts at centre of Redforce court battle

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-01-13

Please login to leave a comment

Sankwasa’s debts at centre of Redforce court battle

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-01-13

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content