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RUNDU & REDFORCE…RESIDENTS CLAIM COUNCIL KEPT THEM IN THE DARK ON REDFORCE

By: Justicia Shipena

The residents of Rundu are unhappy with RedForce being the debt collector for the town council, Kavango East Governor, Bonifatius Wakudumo says.

Speaking to The Villager, Wakudumo said the petition handed over to him on Wednesday by the residents questions how RedForce came into the picture.

Before the water was returned on Thursday, Rundu residents had been without water for nearly a week due to water debt owed to the town council forcing residents to draw water from the Okavango river.

“The residents say they are the ones who instituted town council. They say if there is any problem in the town, residents want to be consulted,” he said.

According to Wakudumo then residents feel they were kept in the dark. “The way things are done now, they are not happy.”

Wakudumo added that the residents are also not pleased with the information given to RedForce to work on in terms of collecting money.”

Redforce is the debt collection company that collects debts on behalf of the municipality. It is believed residents owe around N$300 million to the town council while the municipality itself owes NamWater N$124 million.

Reports indicates that as of January this year the debt collector has recovered about 30 million from defaulters.

Wakudumo said the residents call for Rundu Town Council to end their agreement with RedForce.

“They really don’t want a third party. They are calling on that the finance department in the council needs to be capacitated so that they can do the work,” he explained.

He further said since the town buys water from NamWater and there is interest to be paid in the water outstanding amount.

“So, the Rundu council has to bill their residents including the interest. Apart from that the third party which they brought in is also on top of the interest of NamWater,” he said.

Moreover, RedForce is currently charging 12% collection fees.

“The resident say it makes it difficult for them to pay. If they cannot manage to pay the water which they owe the council and what the council owes NamWater. Where are they going to get that money?”

Wakudumo said they are now starting with proper consultation to sort out the issue.

“The solutions are here in the region. We only need to consult properly and come up with an idea on how do we move forward,” said Wakudumo.

Two years ago, in an effort to recover some money from residents, the town council encouraged ratepayers to participate in a nine months programme on interest from residents’ debts.

However, only a few of the residents participated which led to the council bring in a third part as debt collector last year.

Justicia Shipena

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