Pensioners show up in numbers for debt relief

News in short
Elizabeth Kheibes
  • 2 Months Ago - 2024-02-16 10:06:00
Pensioners and other Windhoek residents showed up in numbers yesterday to apply for debt relief at the City of Windhoek.
The City announced earlier this month that applications for debt relief on capital amounts and interest owed for water and electricity would open yesterday, and close on 15 April.
According to spokesperson Lydia Amutenya, the initiative “will allow for 100% relief on capital amounts and interest rates for pensioners and 50% for businesses and ordinary residents”.
"Only the arrears on your account by 30 November 2023 will be written off. The current accounts from 1 December 2023, excluding interest to date, should be paid in full,” the City further said in a statement.
Katutura Residents Committee leader Shaun Gariseb said residents gathered from 06:00 yesterday.
"People came as early as 06:00, and there were so many that City of Windhoek staff had to arrange for more chairs for everyone. I think the municipality wasn't fully prepared for this process, but was rather pressured by several demands for answers from the community. We welcome this process and will continue to encourage as many pensioners as possible to seize this opportunity," he added.