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Monday, 8 June 2026
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Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Rundu Town Council

Rundu Town Council — local municipality facing revenue collection challenges, stormwater management crises, and financial debt pressures in northern Namibia.

2018-11-232026-06-08
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. March 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Rundu Town Council vehemently denied allegation of sabotaging agreement

    Source

    “The town council has informed the court that this allegation is "vehemently denied".”

    RedForce, Rundu council N$9.2m lawsuit judgment postponed to 13 March

  3. The Namibian

    Rundu Town Council claims RedForce breached agreement by failing to meet monthly debt collection targets

    Source

    “In a plea filed at the court, the Rundu Town Council says RedForce has failed to meet its monthly debt collection targets agreed with the council.”

    RedForce, Rundu council N$9.2m lawsuit judgment postponed to 13 March
  4. February 2026

  5. New Era

    Rundu Town Council responded with urgency to submit technical quotations

    Source

    “The council responded with urgency.”

    N$108m for Tutungeni stormwater woes

  6. New Era

    Rundu Town Council manages internal reticulation infrastructure

    Source

    “Despite the bulk supply progress, concerns remain regarding the internal reticulation infrastructure managed by the Rundu Town Council (RTC).”

    Rundu bulk water project at 79%
  7. January 2026

  8. New Era

    Rundu Town Council was instructed to initiate emergency procurement by obtaining three quotations

    Source

    “The council was instructed to initiate emergency procurement by obtaining three quotations from specialised companies experienced in erosion prevention.”

    ‘Rundu soil erosion is an emergency’

  9. The Namibian

    Rundu Town Council accompanied the minister during inspection of Tutungeni area

    Source

    “Accompanied by officials from the Rundu Town Council and the Kavango East Regional Council, Sankwasa observed extensive damage caused by uncontrolled stormwater, which has led to ground collapse and the formation of large sinkholes.”

    Govt orders emergency action over Rundu sinkholes

  10. The Namibian

    Rundu Town Council has been ordered to stop using private contractors and utilise VTC graduates instead

    Source

    “The Rundu Town Council has been ordered to stop using private contractors for basic maintenance work and instead utilise vocational training centre graduates and trainees to unblock drainage systems.”

    Sankwasa orders Rundu to stop contractors, hire VTC trainees
  11. November 2018

  12. The Namibian

    Rundu Town Council received kindergarten donation from Stina Wu

    Source

    “Yes, I have contributed to charitable causes in Namibia, including the Namibia Networks of AIDS Service Organisations (Nanaso), the First Ladies Trust Fund, a women gardening project at Okatana, Oshakati, classrooms for a kindergarten at Okaku, donated a kindergarten to the Rundu Town Council, school desks and chairs to the Etunda Farm Primary School, and many other worthy charitable causes.”

    Q and A with Wu
Politics

Councils owed N$162m as service cut-off deadline expires

The News

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.

Why it matters

Local authorities owed N$162m with service cut-off deadlines expiring signals critical breakdown in government payment obligations and municipal service delivery.

7 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. Councils owed N$162m as service cut-off deadline expires

    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 →

Monday 18 May

  1. Rundu residents paying mortgages for unfinished homes

    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 →

Friday 15 May

  1. Rundu Town Council plans streetlight installation

    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 →

Thursday 23 April

  1. Rundu Town Council faces revenue pressure in N$485m budget

    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 →

Thursday 9 April

  1. Sankwasa rejects Rundu CEO contract extension citing fiscal chaos

    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 →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. Windhoek court dismisses RedForce's N$9.2 million claim against Rundu Council

    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 →

Tuesday 24 March

  1. High Court dismisses RedForce debt agency's N$9.2 million claim

    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 →

  2. High Court dismisses RedForce N$9.2m debt claim against Rundu

    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 →

Friday 6 March

  1. Persistent flooding disrupts Rundu training institute for weeks

    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 →

Thursday 5 March

  1. Rehoboth risks water suspension over N$100m municipal debt

    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 →

  2. NamWater halts Rehoboth water cuts amid debt negotiations

    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 →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. NamWater warns of water suspension to Rehoboth over debt

    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 →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. RedForce sues Rundu council for N$9.2m; judgment delayed

    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 →

Wednesday 25 February

  1. Government approves N$108m for Rundu stormwater crisis

    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 →

Friday 20 February

  1. Rundu CEO defends track record amid ministry criticism

    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 →

Thursday 19 February

  1. Rundu Bulk Water Project progresses to 79% completion

    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 →

Wednesday 28 January

  1. Parliamentary committee consults on housing and land delivery

    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 →

  2. Rundu soil erosion declared emergency, minister orders action

    Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa conducted an inspection in Rundu and declared severe soil erosion in Tutungeni and surrounding areas an emergency, ordering the town council to seek three quotations from specialized companies for stormwater drainage and erosion control through expedited government procurement. The minister emphasized the need for collaboration between his ministry and the Ministry of Finance, and criticized poor drainage maintenance and lack of planning while urging stronger revenue collection from government entities to fund repairs.

    28 January 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 27 January

  1. Parliamentary committee consults municipalities on housing provision challenges

    A parliamentary standing committee on urban and rural development is holding consultative meetings at Rundu with five major local authorities to assess land delivery and housing provision. The consultations aim to gather evidence on how housing is planned and delivered, identify constraints, and propose practical measures to address Namibia's estimated housing backlog of 300,000 to 700,000 units.

    27 January 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Minister orders emergency action on Rundu sinkholes and erosion

    Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa inspected the Tutungeni area of Rundu and ordered urgent action to address severe soil erosion and sinkholes caused by uncontrolled stormwater, directing authorities to submit emergency procurement requests to the Ministry of Finance by Monday. The minister expressed concern that the situation had worsened since his previous visit and criticised the slow pace of interventions and poor management by local leaders.

    27 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 23 January

  1. Minister orders Rundu to hire VTC trainees instead of contractors

    Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has directed Rundu Town Council to stop outsourcing basic maintenance work to private contractors and instead employ vocational training centre graduates and trainees for tasks like unblocking drainage systems. The minister criticised the council's infrastructure management over several years and rejected its explanations, saying basic maintenance issues must be addressed promptly to prevent further service delivery deterioration.

    23 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Rundu Town Council — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute