16 April deadline set for disclosure of councillor arrears
Urban and Rural Development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa says some newly elected councillors owing large amounts are not being treated the same as ordinary residents whose services are suspended for far smaller debts, and has urged councils who did not submit the names of owing councillors to do so on or before 16 April 2026.
This follows a reminder letter by Sankwasa dated 10 April 2026, addressed to mayors, chairpersons and local authority councils, regarding the submission of outstanding local authority water, electricity or other service bills/accounts owed by newly elected councillors.
“The newly elected and sworn in Local Authorities Councillors are residents of your Local Authority areas as provided for in section 7 (1) of the Local Authorities Act 23 of 1992 as amended read with section 13 (1) (h) of the said Act,” he said.
“To improve good governance of Local Authorities, your office is urgently directed to provide all Councillors who have outstanding water/electricity accounts with your local authority. Kindly indicate the names and actual outstanding amounts, including the period such bills have been outstanding.”
He added that the information was initially requested in December 2025, with a due date of 09 January 2026. However, most local authorities defaulted and failed to submit the required information, and those who did not comply are once again urged to do so on or before 16 April 2026.
In the initial request letter dated 22 December 2025 letter, he stated that the request aims to improve governance within local authorities. He said the names must be submitted no later than 9 January. “Your office is urgently directed to provide all councillors who have outstanding water or electricity accounts with your local authority. Furthermore, you must also indicate the names and actual outstanding amounts, including the period such bills have been outstanding,” he said.
This came shortly after the Namibia Water Corporation revealed last year that its unpaid water bill had reached N$2.8 billion as of 30 November 2025. Town councils owe the biggest share, with N$926.9 million, or 32.8% of the total, while municipalities owe N$253.7 million and village councils N$169.8 million.
Former Deputy mayor and council Member of Okahandja Municipality Akser Aupindi responded to the ministrers reminder, saying that if the request is framed within the context of governance, it is troubling that there appear to be discrepancies in how various government officials are treated.
“Why is the president, Cabinet ministers, members of parliament, and public servants not held to the same standards of transparency and accountability regarding their private information as councillors? Do they not reside within local authority jurisdictions like councillors? Do ministers, parliamentarians, and public servants not also have accounts in those localities?” he questioned.
“This inconsistency could undermine public trust in our government institutions. I urge you, Honourable ministers, to reconsider this request and establish a uniform policy that respects the privacy of all government officials while maintaining necessary transparency. It is essential for public confidence that we uphold these principles,” Aupindi told Network Media Hub (NMH)
Responding to the directive, he added that being a councillor does not take away one’s residential status nor make one immune to economic challenges.
“You continue failing under the category of residents, and your information as a resident has to be treated confidential by the council just like any other resident. More so, point two, the practice of good governance is adherence to systems and processes put in place. In this case, the council has a debt management policy which is applicable to all residents who are in areas. I am aware of the code conduct where councilors are urged not to owe the council. However, it does mean that councilors can not make arrangements,” he said.
Aupindi added that, given the request affects councillors, it is prudent that any submission be made in consultation with them to ensure they are aware of the sharing of private information. “Private information must remain with the municipality and me and not made to the third party, unless councillors are consulted privately,” he said.
When reached for comment, Sankwasa told Network Media Hub (NMH) on Monday that the code of conduct regulating councillors requires them to pay their accounts to local authorities so they lead by example.
“There is nothing secret about accounts being required to be submitted to the ministry. The outstanding accounts are not being demanded for publication in the media, but for holding councillors accountable. Right now, the water and electricity accounts of residents owing the council, in some cases a few hundred, are being suspended, while those of some councillors owing thousands of dollars to the council are not suspended,” the minister said.
“Only those owing huge amounts to the council and who wanted to hide their outstanding accounts by becoming councillors of local authorities,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Namibian in January reported that Sankwasa owes N$174 000 to the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), raising concerns of double standards after he recently urged councillors with unpaid bills to settle their accounts. It further reported that as of 30 November 2025, Sankwasa’s water debt stood at N$174 000.
In an interview with The Namibian at the time, Sankwasa said his NamWater debt is linked to an account he inherited from his late mother, who shared his surname. He said he is now attending to its settlement.
Responding to Sankwasa’s directive, former Phillip Balhao mayor of Lüderitz told NMH that he believes the move is justified.
“In all honesty, it is one of the requirements for a local authority councillor that you should not have exorbitant outstanding debt with the local authority you aim to serve. It’s a requirement that, in my view, needs to be implemented and emphasised more, so I think it’s a good initiative,” he said.
“Yes, I completely understand that it may infringe on some people’s right to privacy, but as a public servant, and in my opinion, a local authority councillor is exactly that, once you step into that domain, compliance becomes of the utmost importance, and you should lead by example. So, in my humble opinion, I think it’s a commendable move by the honourable minister. I believe he is doing good work and has really shaken up the ministry,” he said.
