SHORT NEWS: Mariental writes off over N$1.2m senior citizens’ debts

The Mariental Municipality has written off N$1 266 880 in outstanding debts owed by 249 senior citizens, offering much-needed financial relief to elderly residents. The decision was taken at a council meeting on 1 September 2025 and coincides with the roll-out of prepaid water meters, which will begin in the coming weeks. “This relief for senior citizens and the clearing of their municipal accounts go alongside the full rollout of prepaid water meters,” said Ellen Ngozu, acting Chief Executive Officer of Mariental Municipality, in a social media update today.