EDITORIAL: City takes a turn

For years, the Windhoek municipality was the hallmark of how local authorities should operate, but today the once-great institution leaves much to be desired.

From colossal debt, poor infrastructure management, ageing equipment and infighting, the governance framework of the City of Windhoek has certainly taken a turn for the worst.

It comes as no surprise that residents from Katutura decided to join hands and form the Katutura Residents Committee, which aims to fight for their own well-being.

The political fights on the council have also not made things easy, but we hope the sanity that has prevailed amongst politicians will last and translate into enhanced service delivery.

We cannot afford a situation where the country’s economic and administration hub finds itself in dire straits due to poor municipal governance.

Windhoek residents are amongst the highest paying ratepayers in the country, therefore they deserve nothing but quality service.

It is our hope that the planned introduction of pre-paid electricity and water meters for every household will help the municipality address its nagging debt crisis.

The duplication of debt-collection duties can also not be condoned going forward. The municipality has workers on its payroll who are remunerated to ensure that the institution’s debts are collected. Why should additional funds be used to rope in an external debt collector?

The municipality simply does not have the luxury to be throwing money in the water. Those funds are desperately needed to better the lives of residents.