Redforce resumes operations at Rundu

KENYA KAMBOWERUNDURedforce Debt Management this week resumed with its mission to recover over N$450 million owed to the cash-strapped Rundu town council.This is after the urban and rural development ministry last year failed to nullify the agreement between the two parties.The council resorted to a debt collector to recover money owed to it by residents. The council this week notified residents that Redforce had resumed with its operations.“Following recent media reports of the suspension and termination of debt recovery services by Redforce Debt Management by the minister of urban and rural development and the subsequent ruling of the High Court of Namibia on 20 November 2020, the Rundu town council wishes to inform the residents of Rundu and the entire public of the resumption of data and debt collection services by Redforce Debt Management as from 1 January 2021 by virtue of its appointment as per the procurement award,” the notice reads. WarningThe council called upon defaulters to cooperate with Redforce and avoid disconnection of services and seizure of property.“The Rundu town council remains steadfast in its efforts to recover debts owed to it by businesses, state-owned enterprises, government institutions and private residents,” the notice reads. “The public is implored to cooperate with Redforce Debt Management and further cautioned to settle their water, rates and taxes accounts and to settle outstanding balances on purchase prices for land sales to avoid service disconnections, sales cancellations and property vested back to the council.” Legal battleOn 5 November, Redforce turned to the High Court in an urgent application after the urban and rural development ministry, through its representative on the Rundu town council Sebastian Kantema, ordered that its contract be terminated indefinitely. Redforce had commenced with work in October and within a week, it had recovered over N$3 million, but it had to stop operations after minister Erastus Uutoni made the call. The council, Uutoni, Rundu acting CEO Sam Nekaro and Kantema were the respondents in the matter in which Redforce asked the court to set aside the ministry's decision. Null and voidHowever, prior to Justice Esi Schimming-Chase's ruling, which was made on 20 November, the council and Redforce reached a settlement agreement. The agreement entails that the decisions by Uutoni be set aside and declared null and void, and that Redforce will resume with its operations on 1 January 2021.The respondents were instructed to pay Redforce's legal costs.Over the years Namibian Sun has been reporting on the poor service delivery by the Rundu town council.Rundu owes NamWater N$100 million and with the procuring of Redforce services, it is believed that the local authority will be able to settle its debt and deliver services to its residents.kenya@namibiansun.com

Redforce resumes operations at Rundu

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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Redforce resumes operations at Rundu

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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