RedForce explains Okahandja water suspensions
• Residents hot under the collar
Okahandja residents are fuming over alleged discrepancies regarding water suspensions and debt collection.
As tensions mount over water supply issues and debt collection in Okahandja, RedForce Debt Management has shed light on criteria that guide the suspension of water services for defaulting residents.
The municipality's credit control policy, established under the Local Authorities Act, serves as the basis for this action, the company said.
Residents are grappling with water supply issues that have fuelled discontent, with many disgruntled because they only receive half the water they pay for. The residents have called for transparency and accountability from both the municipality and the debt management company.
One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: “It is disheartening to see that our hard-earned money cannot buy the full water supply we expect. We deserve an explanation for this discrepancy and we need assurance that corrective measures will be taken immediately".
Pensioners feel neglected
The frustration is not limited to water supply. Pensioners in Okahandja feel neglected because their bills remain unchanged, unlike in other towns where seniors’ outstanding debts have been written off.
The lack of consistency has left many feeling marginalised and looking to municipal officials for answers.
Another resident who did not want to be named said: "No political party is coming out to hear our cry, but with elections around the corner, they want us to vote for them".
Local community leaders are now calling for an urgent meeting with the Okahandja municipality and RedForce representatives to address these concerns.
Meanwhile, in response to concerns about potential overlap in debt-collection efforts, RedForce said: "Not all accounts are surrendered or qualify for surrender to RedForce. This is determined by the ageing of the account and how long the debtor or resident has been [in arrears]. We simply collect on the accounts that are handed over to us by the municipality and they, in turn, collect on those that are not. There is no duplication of collection efforts”.
Efforts to reach Okahandja CEO Alphons Tjitombo proved futile.
The municipality's credit control policy, established under the Local Authorities Act, serves as the basis for this action, the company said.
Residents are grappling with water supply issues that have fuelled discontent, with many disgruntled because they only receive half the water they pay for. The residents have called for transparency and accountability from both the municipality and the debt management company.
One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: “It is disheartening to see that our hard-earned money cannot buy the full water supply we expect. We deserve an explanation for this discrepancy and we need assurance that corrective measures will be taken immediately".
Pensioners feel neglected
The frustration is not limited to water supply. Pensioners in Okahandja feel neglected because their bills remain unchanged, unlike in other towns where seniors’ outstanding debts have been written off.
The lack of consistency has left many feeling marginalised and looking to municipal officials for answers.
Another resident who did not want to be named said: "No political party is coming out to hear our cry, but with elections around the corner, they want us to vote for them".
Local community leaders are now calling for an urgent meeting with the Okahandja municipality and RedForce representatives to address these concerns.
Meanwhile, in response to concerns about potential overlap in debt-collection efforts, RedForce said: "Not all accounts are surrendered or qualify for surrender to RedForce. This is determined by the ageing of the account and how long the debtor or resident has been [in arrears]. We simply collect on the accounts that are handed over to us by the municipality and they, in turn, collect on those that are not. There is no duplication of collection efforts”.
Efforts to reach Okahandja CEO Alphons Tjitombo proved futile.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article