Sostenus Wilherm
The Oranjemund Town Council has been stopped from continuing with the disconnection of electricity and water services at the Yacht Club property after the High Court granted an interim order in favour of Turnstile Investments (Pty) Ltd.
The company approached the High Court, accusing the council of unlawfully cutting off essential municipal services despite the investor allegedly complying with the municipality’s payment demands linked to the purchase of the property.
Justice Michael Mtambo on Monday ordered that the council’s decision, taken in March 2026 to disconnect the services at Portion 5 of Farm Oranjemund Townlands, commonly known as the Yacht Club, be stayed pending the finalisation of the matter.
The court further issued a Rule Nisi calling on the Oranjemund Town Council and its acting chief executive officer to explain why they should not be ordered to immediately restore electricity and water services to the property.
The dispute centres around a property sale agreement between the council and Turnstile Investments, which says it was placed in lawful occupation of the Yacht Club in August 2025 after the municipality approved the sale.
According to the company, it invested substantial funds into renovating the property after taking possession, with the intention of restoring the Yacht Club into a commercially viable facility.
The company’s director, Mekondjo Laamekeni Kweenda, told the court that the property was in a poor condition when Turnstile took over and required extensive rehabilitation.
He said the company’s investment allowed the property to obtain the necessary fitness certification and begin limited commercial operations in December 2025.
However, the relationship between the investor and the council deteriorated after the municipality disconnected electricity and water services in March 2026.
Turnstile alleges that the disconnection was done without prior notice, a hearing, or a court order.
The company claims it was informed by council officials that the services would only be restored after payment of a 30% deposit required under the sale agreement.
Turnstile said it complied with the demand by paying N$200 000 on 1 April 2026 and later settled the outstanding balance of N$164 816.67 on 22 June 2026.
According to Kweenda, the acting chief executive officer of Oranjemund Town Council, Festus Nekayi, assured him that the services would be restored immediately after proof of payment was provided.
Despite making the payments, the company claims the electricity and water supply remained disconnected, leaving it with no option but to seek urgent intervention from the High Court.
The investor argued that the council’s actions amounted to unlawful self-help, saying the municipality deprived it of essential services while it remained in lawful occupation of the property.
In the court papers, Kweenda stated that the continued disconnection had affected the company’s renovation work and commercial plans.
“The continued absence of electricity and water has brought the applicant’s renovation and development activities to a standstill, delayed the implementation of its business operations and substantially undermined the commercial viability of the project,” Kweenda said.
Turnstile argued that every day without electricity and water resulted in further financial losses, deterioration of improvements made to the property and damage to its business interests.
The company is asking the court to declare that the council’s decision to disconnect the services was unlawful and to prevent the municipality from interfering with the supply of electricity and water without following due process.
Justice Mtambo’s interim order also authorises the Deputy Sheriff of Oranjemund, assisted by members of the Namibian Police Force if necessary, to take steps to enforce the reconnection should the respondents fail to comply.
The court will hear further arguments on 20 August 2026, when the council and the acting CEO must justify their actions.
The Oranjemund Town Council has not yet responded to the allegations in court.
