Walvis Bay residents outraged over RedForce

The Walvis Bay municipality has responded to two petitions that were handed over in regard to residents&#039; concerns over debt-collection agency RedForce.Elvis Goseb, representing the residents, highlighted their opposition to RedForce&#039;s presence, calling it impractical amid economic hardships. He argued that the municipality&#039;s credit control policy was never legally adopted and questioned the transparency of the procurement process for RedForce. Residents objected to RedForce&#039;s requirement of paying 75% of outstanding debt before reconnecting water supply. They accused the municipality of breaching confidentiality by sharing private information with RedForce without residents&#039; consent. Residents have also demanded the cancellation of debts accrued during the Covid-19 period, the cessation of RedForce&#039;s contract, and the removal of additional charges on accounts. They proposed a 50/50 debt recovery payment plan and gave the council a deadline to respond to their demands. In a second petition, residents questioned the justification for the large sums paid to RedForce and demanded transparency regarding the legal basis for water disconnections and past financial errors at the municipality. Meeting to discuss petitionActing Walvis Bay municipality CEO John Esterhuizen said: “We want to assure you that your voice matters to us and that every point raised in the petition will be addressed. We always ensure that all our residents are treated with respect and dignity, and we take any allegations to the contrary very seriously.” He added that residents can expect responses to all issues highlighted in the petition, following an informal council meeting that has been scheduled for Tuesday, 16 April, to discuss the issues raised.Residents work togetherA WhatsApp group titled ‘Walvis Bay Residents Against RedForce’ has garnered over 530 members already. Goseb confirmed that the residents group has "roped in the office of the minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Utoni, as a matter of urgency. “They acknowledged receipt of our official correspondence. In our correspondence, we requested their immediate intervention in this pressing matter.” Goseb said he is currently providing water "to four people in my neighbourhood as they have small kids and I just have to assist because of the small kids. It’s a pity for residents to not have water, as they are truly trying to pay.” Another resident stated that if accounts were up to date or arrangements were in place, “we would not have come to this unpleasant point.”

Walvis Bay residents outraged over RedForce

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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Walvis Bay residents outraged over RedForce

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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