Rundu Town Council — local authority managing the Namibian town of Rundu, facing revenue collection challenges and recent establishment of a commercial subsidiary.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Namibian Sun
Rundu Town Council reached a settlement agreement with Fernandu Santu Simon resolving a defamation suit
“The Rundu Town Council and private quantity surveyor Fernandu Santu Simon have reached a settlement agreement resolving a defamation suit and clarifying the respective roles of mun...”
Rundu council, surveyor settle defamation caseThe Namibian
Rundu Town Council is owed N$34 million by government offices as of 3 June
“Rundu Town Council assistant spokesperson Prisca Marembo says as of 3 June, the balance owed to the council by government offices stands at N$34 million.”
Councils chase N$162m as service cut-off loomsNamibian Sun
Rundu Town Council met with Nored officials this month over plans to install streetlights
“The Rundu Town Council met with Nored officials this month over plans to install streetlights in several poorly lit areas across the town to improve safety and visibi...”
Light it upNamibian Sun
Rundu Town Council proposed N$485.5 million budget for 2026/27 financial year
“The Rundu Town Council's proposed N$485.5 million budget for the 2026/27 financial year is under mounting pressure, as the municipality continues to collect only 33% of its own r...”
Debt clouds Rundu’s N$485m proposed budgetNamibian Sun
Rundu Town Council collects only 33% of its own revenue
“The Rundu Town Council's proposed N$485.5 million budget for the 2026/27 financial year is under mounting pressure, as the municipality continues to collect only 33% of its own r...”
Debt clouds Rundu’s N$485m proposed budgetNew Era
Rundu Town Council accumulated N$254 million debt in outstanding water bills to NamWater
“The minister's letter revealed that under Nathanael's tenure, Rundu has accumulated a staggering N$254 million debt in outstanding water bills to NamWater.”
Sankwasa tears into ‘shambolic’ RunduNew Era
Rundu Town Council was not required to expressly or implicitly support RedForce in performance of obligations.
“Judge Orben Sibeya, in his ruling, found that the agreement did not expressly or implicitly require the council to support RedForce in the performance of its obligations.”
Rundu council not obliged to support RedForceThe Namibian
Rundu Town Council was awarded legal costs in the matter
“Sibeya also ordered RedForce to pay the council's legal costs in the matter.”
RedForce Debt Management loses N$9.2 million court claim against Rundu Town Council over debt collectionInformanté
Rundu Town Council did not unlawfully terminate debt collection agreement with RedForce
“HIGH Court judge Orben Sibeya has dismissed a N$9.2 million claim by RedForce Debt Collection CC against the Rundu Town Council, finding that the municipality did not unlawfully terminate a debt collection agreement between the parties.”
RedForce failed to meet Rundu debt collection targets, judge findsThe Namibian
Rundu Town Council owes NamWater over N$300 million
“The Rundu Town Council owes the biggest amount, with over N$300 million.”
Rehoboth water crisis: 10 000 pupils and 200 inmates face supply cuts over N$100m debtThe Rundu Town Council has established a commercial subsidiary to generate additional income and diversify revenue sources, citing years of struggling with collections from unpaid municipal bills. The council's debt book grew from N$345.8 million in June 2023 to N$427.6 million in June 2024.
5 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Rundu Town Council has established a commercial subsidiary to generate additional income and diversify revenue sources, citing years of struggling with collections from unpaid municipal bills. The council's debt book grew from N$345.8 million in June 2023 to N$427.6 million in June 2024.
5 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Rundu Town Council has established Rundu Town Council Commercial Services (Pty) Ltd, a wholly council-owned commercial company intended to strengthen the town's revenue base, attract investment, and support municipal service delivery. Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare remarked that the company belongs to residents and should prioritize public service delivery alongside generating profit, while local authorities should explore innovative financing methods to meet growing demand for infrastructure and services.
5 September 2026 · Informanté →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has said the newly launched Rundu Town Council Commercial Services should prioritise public service delivery over profit, with its success benefiting the community rather than being driven by financial gain alone.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that parliamentary committees need stronger authority to enforce compliance with oversight activities, citing instances where town council officials failed to attend or respond to lawmakers' inquiries without consequences. The author warns that without binding enforcement mechanisms, oversight visits risk becoming exercises in scoring political points rather than holding officials accountable.
23 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Rundu Town Council CEO says the local authority uses consultants for financial statements because its finance staff lack specialised training in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), which the council adopted in July 2018 and was given three years to implement. The council is seven years behind on financial statements and has faced criticism over its reliance on outside consultants despite employing financial officials.
20 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Rundu Town Council has unanimously adopted a motion to establish a Rundu People's Assembly and Rundu Youth Advisory Council to give residents and young people a more permanent role in municipal decision-making. The proposal, introduced by councillor Kufuna Patrick Masonde, addresses what he described as a gap between residents and municipal authorities, particularly affecting those in neglected neighbourhoods and informal settlements.
14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
MPs have criticized the Rundu Town Council's financial management, citing that the local authority is approximately seven years behind on financial reporting.
12 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has warned the Rundu Town Council to follow the law when allocating land, requiring ministerial approval and legal compliance. Minister James Sankwasa also expressed concern over double allocations and called on the council to maintain audit records and involve residents in clean-up programmes.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Youth Service collected six trophies and medals at the 2026 State-Owned Enterprises Games in Rundu, winning men's and women's relays and the women's marathon, plus the Most Cheerful Team and Overall Best Performer awards. NYS commissioner Felix Musukubili also retained his CEO's Sportsman Award and was the sole CEO to medal in the 10-kilometre race.
15 July 2026 · New Era →
The Rundu Town Council is relying on a firefighting truck stationed at Rundu Airport to respond to emergencies after its own unit was grounded.
2 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Rundu Town Council is working to resolve a severe shortage of skip bins while urging residents to use available bins responsibly rather than dumping waste on streets.
1 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Rundu Town Council has fulfilled its preparations for the Public Enterprises Games, with the town ready to host close to 5,000 participants. The council has provided logistical support including accommodation arrangements and facility access, with most accommodation establishments already fully booked.
29 June 2026 · New Era →
The Rundu Town Council and private quantity surveyor Fernandu Santu Simon have reached a settlement agreement resolving a defamation suit and clarifying their respective roles.
11 June 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Local authorities are owed over N$162 million by government ministries, institutions, and businesses, prompting the government to direct municipalities to disconnect water and electricity services to defaulting entities. The urban and rural development minister last month directed all local authorities to cut off services from ministries with outstanding debts failing to settle accounts by 5 June.
7 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Homeowners in the Kaisosi housing development in Rundu say they have been paying mortgages since 2022 for houses that remain unfinished, despite securing bank financing two years ago. Helmsman Group, the development company behind the project, has acknowledged the financial pressure on families but attributes delays to challenges beyond its control.
18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Rundu Town Council met with Nored officials to discuss plans to install streetlights in poorly lit areas across the town to improve safety and visibility.
15 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Rundu Town Council's proposed N$485.5 million budget for 2026/27 is under strain as the municipality collects only 33% of its own revenue.
23 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has rejected a contract extension for Rundu Town Council CEO Olavi Nathanael, citing chaotic financial management including a N$254 million outstanding water debt to NamWater, adverse audit findings, and seven years without official auditing. The council has formally notified Nathanael that his employment will end on 3 May 2026.
9 April 2026 · New Era →
Judge Orben Sibeya ruled that Rundu Town Council was not obliged to support RedForce Debt Collection CC under their written agreement, and dismissed the collector's N$9.2 million damages claim after finding RedForce failed to meet monthly collection targets of N$5 million, constituting material breach.
25 March 2026 · New Era →
Judge Orben Sibeya dismissed RedForce Debt Management's claim against the Rundu Town Council for N$9.2 million, finding that RedForce failed to prove the council repudiated their agreement and that the agency itself breached the contract by consistently failing to meet its monthly debt collection target of N$5 million. The judge ordered RedForce to pay the council's legal costs.
24 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A High Court judge dismissed a N$9.2 million claim by debt collector RedForce against Rundu Town Council, finding the municipality lawfully terminated the company's contract after RedForce failed to meet a N$5 million monthly collection target since March 2021. The judge ruled RedForce did not prove the council had repudiated the agreement or failed to provide necessary support, and rejected claims that faulty water meters prevented the company from meeting its obligations.
24 March 2026 · Informanté →
Rundu's Ngato Institute of Science and Technology has been disrupted by persistent flooding for over three weeks, with stagnant water from underground sources now a health hazard and breeding ground for mosquitoes. The institute's founder calls for professional engineering intervention to create water channels, and both students and nearby residents are requesting urgent action from the local authority.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Rehoboth Town Council faces a possible bulk water supply cut by Namibia Water Corporation due to the municipality's outstanding N$100 million debt, which would close schools affecting over 10,000 pupils and disrupt operations at a police holding facility with about 200 inmates.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
NamWater has suspended planned bulk water supply cuts to Rehoboth following negotiations with the town council over an outstanding debt of N$150 million. Negotiations now involve the Hardap governor's office and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, with water services remaining operational pending further discussions.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
NamWater has issued notice of possible bulk water suspension to Rehoboth following the town council's unpaid debts exceeding N$100 million. The water utility faces N$2.8 billion in outstanding payments from local authorities and rural water communities, straining long-term water supply security.
4 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Debt collection firm RedForce Debt Management is suing the Rundu Town Council for N$9.2 million over an alleged breach of a 2020 debt-collection agreement, claiming the council sabotaged its work and prevented it from meeting targets; the town council denies the allegations and contends RedForce failed to meet performance targets first. A High Court judgment scheduled for Friday has been postponed to 13 March.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The central government has approved N$108 million to address dangerous stormwater and erosion problems in Rundu's Tutungeni suburb, with work now underway by Chinese contractor CHICO. The project involves constructing an underground canal system and stabilising slopes near the Kavango River to prevent sinkholes threatening homes and infrastructure.
25 February 2026 · New Era →
Rundu Town Council CEO Olavi Nathanael responded to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development's rejection of his contract extension, citing achievements in water supply stabilization, road rehabilitation, and infrastructure development. Nathanael defended his performance as "competitive" despite financial constraints, and attributed service delivery challenges to structural limitations and funding shortages rather than poor management.
20 February 2026 · New Era →
The N$665 million Rundu Bulk Water Supply project is approaching completion with 79% progress and expected commissioning in August. Critical pipeline extensions to surrounding communities are 94% complete, though concerns remain about the Rundu Town Council's internal reticulation infrastructure readiness.
19 February 2026 · New Era →
A parliamentary standing committee is holding consultative meetings in Rundu this week with five major local authorities to assess land delivery and housing provision. The consultations aim to give Parliament an evidence-based understanding of how housing is planned and delivered at local level, identify constraints, and propose solutions to Namibia's estimated 300,000 to 700,000-unit housing backlog.
28 January 2026 · New Era →