Justicia Shipena
The ||Kharas and Hardap regional councils have directed all municipalities under their control to cancel outstanding debts owed by pensioners before the end of the year.
The move aims to promote social justice and protect the dignity of elderly citizens.
In a circular dated 16 October 2025, ||Kharas Regional Council chairperson Joseph Isaack instructed local authorities to write off water debts accumulated by pensioners, both living and deceased.
He said the decision aligns with the constitutional principles of social welfare and compassion.
Isaack explained that the directive is based on the Local Authorities Act of 1992, which allows councils to remit or cancel charges if it serves the public interest.
“The intention is to allow pensioners, many of whom live on limited state pensions, to do so without the burden of water debts that threaten their dignity and access to life-sustaining resources,” he said.
He added that the decision also supports the Water Supply and Sanitation Policy of 2008.
Isaack noted that many pensioners live in poverty and still support unemployed relatives, making it unfair to demand payments they cannot afford.
“Our pensioners are the pillars upon whose sacrifices our communities stand,” Isaack said, calling the move “compassion through action.”
Local authorities in ||Kharas must identify affected pensioners, pass council resolutions and record all write-offs transparently by 30 November 2025.
The circular was also sent to the governor of ||Kharas, the minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa,NamWater CEO Abraham Nehemia and Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi.
The Hardap regional council also issued a similar order on 15 October 2025.
It instructed local authorities to write off all municipal debts owed by pensioners by December 2025.
Chairperson Gershon Dausab said the decision followed appeals from residents and rising living costs affecting the elderly.
“Pensioners often act as the main and sometimes only, source of income for entire unemployed families. This places a huge strain on their limited pensions,” Dausab said.
Local authorities in Hardap must approve resolutions authorising write-offs, clear both capital and interest and report back by December.
Dausab said the process must follow transparency, accountability and sound financial management principles.
He advised councils needing help to contact the regional council’s directorate of development planning.
The councils described the write-offs as an act of responsibility and good governance aimed at restoring dignity and easing the economic burden on those who built the country.
Caption
The //Kharas Regional Council and Hardap Regional Council have directed all local authorities to write off outstanding water debts owed by pensioners by the end of the year.
- Photo: ContributedÂ
