Windhoek: The Association for Localised Interests (Asoli) will join Windhoek residents in a demonstration at the Katutura Customer Care Centre on 28 July regarding issues with debt collector RedForce Debt Management and the municipality's billing system. Asoli president Joseph Kauandenge confirmed on Wednesday that following consultations with the Katutura Rate Payers Association under the leadership of activist Shaun Gariseb, Asoli's members will join other Windhoek residents in the anticipated march.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the planned demonstration follows recent revelations by the municipality regarding at least 387 accounts that were negatively impacted by a faulty billing system, after months of public pressure and protests from residents. Kauandenge in an interview with Nampa expressed Asoli's concern over the perceived lack of political will from the City of Windhoek council to address issues affecting households. 'Asoli has noted with concern the lack of political will emanating from the political heads at the City of Windhoek to address an issue that continues to affect households,' he said.

Kauandenge emphasised the urgency of the situation, saying it cannot be allowed to continue while countless households are forced into serious debt, 'trying to keep up with arrears that are in reality not theirs, which in turn leads to them being handed over to RedForce.' Kauandenge asserted that these problems are 'manmade.'

'These problems must be addressed vigorously by the same people who made them. If not, the people have the right to demonstrate peacefully, because their rights are being trampled upon by a system that fails to take accountability,' he noted. Furthermore, Kauandenge called for the non-renewal of RedForce's contract with the council, which is reportedly set to expire at the end of July.

He believes the City of Windhoek should instead 'deploy and strengthen their in-house debt collection measures.' Kauandenge noted that RedForce's involvement often leads to residents being blacklisted, affecting their creditworthiness, and that even after settling accounts, removing their names from the blacklist remains a significant challenge.