Pensioners urged to apply for debt relief
Applications close 15 April
Only residents who were 60 and older on 30 November 2023 will be considered for the debt-relief initiative.
Katutura Residents Committee leader Shaun Gariseb has encouraged pensioners to show up in numbers today to apply for debt relief from 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 today and close on 15 April.
"Pensioners, make sure all outstanding amounts from December and January are up to date. We will be there to read through the application forms and explain in detail to the people,” Gariseb said.
Addressing close to 2 000 residents last week, City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said the initiative “will allow for 100% relief on capital amounts and interest rates for pensioners and 50% for businesses and ordinary residents”.
She explained that only residents who were 60 and older on 30 November 2023 will be considered.
The total debt owed to the City stands at over N$520 million.
Where to apply
The City revealed that pensioners can apply weekdays from 08:30 to 19:00 and Saturdays from 08:30 to 15:00. Stations include the City's head office in town, the Katutura Customer Care Centre on Independence Avenue and the Ombili Customer Care Centre.
Pensioners will need copies of the account holder or representative’s ID and proof of ownership (copy of title deed). Where a resident owns multiple properties, they must provide a police declaration stating their primary residence.
For estate accounts, residents will need the same documents, as well as a marriage certificate (if applicable), a copy of the owner's death certificate and a guardianship letter for minors.
For pensioners to qualify for debt relief, they need to have prepaid meters for water and electricity, or have applied for them.
They should also agree to pay for the installation of the prepaid meters either upfront or in installments over five years.
"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 wrote in a statement.
“In the case of an estate account, the account holder should have been a pensioner [60 or older] by the date of death.
“Pensioners can apply for prepaid meters on-site during registration," it added.