Stina Wu tenants angry at power, water cuts

Business tenants at Windhoek’s Kingsway Plaza, which is co-owned by property guru Stina Wu, are up in arms after water and electricity to the complex were disconnected by the municipality over an unpaid bill of allegedly N$800 000.

The complex houses salons, barbershops, boutiques, takeaways, bars and car washes – whose owners said they have not had water since Monday afternoon.

This has brought to a halt a lot of their work, resulting in huge financial losses.

As of 2018, Chinese-born Wu owned 35% of the mini-mall.

Wu is the founder and executive chairperson of Helmsman Group that owns shopping complexes and is involved in building houses in several Namibian towns. Her managing partner is former CEO of Helao Nafidi town council, Chris Shivolo, who yesterday apologised for the situation.

Namibian Sun visited the complex yesterday and was greeted by scenes of businesses using petrol-powered generators to fuel their operations, while many hairdressers stood idle hoping their taps would start running.

One barber said: “I’ve had to send my customers away all week. They [the owners] have not given us a straight answer as to when the situation will be resolved”.

A boutique owner said: “We can't even use the toilet. We are losing a lot and it's end of the month. The shop wasn't supposed to be this quiet, we were supposed to have movement.

“The owner of the complex is not picking up our calls and we have not heard anything from them since the electricity was cut.”

Pujesu Namundjebo, CEO of the Namibia Hairdresser Association, which also operates at the complex, said: “Our children are back at school and we need to cater for them. And we need to pay our accommodation rent, but with what if we can’t make money?”

‘Not a national issue’

In response, Shivolo said Helmsman Group and the City of Windhoek do not have consensus on the amount owed, hence the delay in resolving the matter.

“We are busy sorting it out for the restoration of services, which will be done either today or tomorrow.

“I don’t know why this should become a national issue, is it because it’s Stina or what?” he asked.

“We sympathise with the people on the site. Mind you, this is close to month-end and you will find that this is the time most of the businesses actually make their money. To tell you the truth, we regret the inconvenience that was caused.”

He added: “We are highly considerate of the people and that is why we extended a lifeline that their September rent will be discounted by 30%.

“Look, we are all business people and as you go on, you are bound to make mistakes here and there but those mistakes should not be used to crucify you.”

Wu could not be reached for comment.