Wu’s Helmsman fined for illegal water reconnection
KENYA KAMBOWE
RUNDU
The Rundu town council in December fined Chinese-born businesswoman Stina Wu’s Helmsman Group for the illegal reconnection of the water supply to their Galaxy shopping mall.
Rundu CEO Nathaneal Olavi said the council penalised the property developer for allowing the reconnection of the water supply without the council’s knowledge.
The council suspects somebody working at the building site was responsible for the reconnection and because the owners could not identify the culprit, the company was fined.
“Somebody went to open the valve which was closed by the council. We just informed them that they were responsible and there was a fine to that effect. The site foreman was fined,” Olavi explained.
The water supply had been suspended because of non-payment of the municipal bill.
“We agreed that they were going to make payments on specific dates and that did not happen,” Olavi said.
“We are suspecting that it is the guys on site. We asked them who did it and they could not tell and we then fined them.”
Neither Wu nor her local managing partner, Chris Shivolo, could be reached for comment.
The Galaxy mall, which is currently under construction, houses shops like Shoprite and Pep Stores.
Not the first time
Helmsman has often failed to pay its water bills on time, running up arrears amounting to millions.
The cash-strapped Rundu Town Council is targeting all those who default on their accounts, with the help of Redforce Debt Management.
Olavi said when the programme of disconnecting those in arrears started last year, Helmsman paid only half of what it owed and signed an agreement with the council to pay the remainder in instalments.
He revealed that the monthly instalments are in the region of N$89 000 to N$100 000.
[email protected]
RUNDU
The Rundu town council in December fined Chinese-born businesswoman Stina Wu’s Helmsman Group for the illegal reconnection of the water supply to their Galaxy shopping mall.
Rundu CEO Nathaneal Olavi said the council penalised the property developer for allowing the reconnection of the water supply without the council’s knowledge.
The council suspects somebody working at the building site was responsible for the reconnection and because the owners could not identify the culprit, the company was fined.
“Somebody went to open the valve which was closed by the council. We just informed them that they were responsible and there was a fine to that effect. The site foreman was fined,” Olavi explained.
The water supply had been suspended because of non-payment of the municipal bill.
“We agreed that they were going to make payments on specific dates and that did not happen,” Olavi said.
“We are suspecting that it is the guys on site. We asked them who did it and they could not tell and we then fined them.”
Neither Wu nor her local managing partner, Chris Shivolo, could be reached for comment.
The Galaxy mall, which is currently under construction, houses shops like Shoprite and Pep Stores.
Not the first time
Helmsman has often failed to pay its water bills on time, running up arrears amounting to millions.
The cash-strapped Rundu Town Council is targeting all those who default on their accounts, with the help of Redforce Debt Management.
Olavi said when the programme of disconnecting those in arrears started last year, Helmsman paid only half of what it owed and signed an agreement with the council to pay the remainder in instalments.
He revealed that the monthly instalments are in the region of N$89 000 to N$100 000.
[email protected]
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