Over 2 000 pensioners register for municipal debt relief
• City considers deadline extension
Registrations for the debt-relief programme started in early
February.
The City of Windhoek has announced that 2 209 pensioners have registered for its debt-relief programme, aimed at providing support to Namibia’s vulnerable elderly population.
Registrations started in early February and will end next Monday, 15 April, but the municipality said it is considering an extension.
“We are considering an extension to the registration, but a date will be communicated in due course. We are planning to trim down the number of registration points and only keep the Katutura one after 15 April,” spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said last week.
Disgruntled
The debt-relief programme allows pensioners to get a 100% write-off on municipal debts incurred until the end of November 2023, while non-pensioners and business owners can get 50% of their debt written off. This disparity has, however, left many disgruntled.
Shaun Gariseb from the Katutura Residents Committee told Namibian Sun that they plan to demonstrate against this decision and will host a press conference today to address the concerns of Katutura residents.
They are demanding the attendance of Auditor-General Junias Kandjeke, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha, among others.
In response, Amutenya said only council members can approve any decision to write off debt.
Registrations started in early February and will end next Monday, 15 April, but the municipality said it is considering an extension.
“We are considering an extension to the registration, but a date will be communicated in due course. We are planning to trim down the number of registration points and only keep the Katutura one after 15 April,” spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said last week.
Disgruntled
The debt-relief programme allows pensioners to get a 100% write-off on municipal debts incurred until the end of November 2023, while non-pensioners and business owners can get 50% of their debt written off. This disparity has, however, left many disgruntled.
Shaun Gariseb from the Katutura Residents Committee told Namibian Sun that they plan to demonstrate against this decision and will host a press conference today to address the concerns of Katutura residents.
They are demanding the attendance of Auditor-General Junias Kandjeke, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha, among others.
In response, Amutenya said only council members can approve any decision to write off debt.
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