Allexer Namundjembo
Community activists Shaun Gariseb and Sem David have questioned the City of Windhoek’s decision to implement a 4% increase in municipal tariffs, arguing that residents should not be expected to pay more while many communities continue to face inadequate basic services.
The activists contend that tariff increases should be accompanied by visible improvements in service delivery, particularly in informal settlements where access to sanitation, water and waste management remains a persistent challenge.
Gariseb, who recently visited Mix Settlement, said conditions at the area’s communal sanitation facilities highlight the city’s broader infrastructure shortcomings.
“Windhoek faces a dual challenge of aging municipal infrastructure and severe sanitation gaps in informal settlements,” Gariseb said.
According to him, the settlement’s three sanitation hubs are operating beyond their intended capacity despite residents making efforts to maintain the facilities.
“Out of six communal water taps, only four are functioning, serving approximately 4,000 residents. The people are looking after these facilities, but the infrastructure simply does not have the capacity to meet the demand,” he said.
Gariseb also criticized the timing of the tariff increase, saying residents received little opportunity to prepare before the adjustments took effect on 1 July.
“Many people work with limited and fixed budgets and need time to plan. Residents should not pay more for the exact same service. Improve services first, then ask people to pay more,” he said.
He further argued that announcing the increases after they had already come into effect raised concerns about transparency and public accountability.
Adding to the criticism, fellow community activist Sem David said the latest tariff adjustments reflect a broader need for greater financial transparency within the municipality.
David referred to last year’s proposed electricity tariff increase, alleging that the City of Windhoek failed to adequately explain the adjustment and later faced questions regarding its submission to the Electricity Control Board (ECB).
He argued that residents have a right to know how municipal tariffs are calculated and how public funds are spent.
“As a public entity supported by the central government, the City of Windhoek has a duty to operate in the public interest, not as a profit-maximizing institution,” David said.
He claimed that requests for information on the city’s cost-recovery calculations, payments to electricity and water suppliers, vendor costs, commission structures and the methodology used to determine tariffs have not yet been answered.
David also raised concerns about service delivery in communities such as Goreangab and Okuryangava, where, he said, residents continue paying municipal rates and taxes despite lacking essential services, including refuse collection, sewerage infrastructure, shift containers and reliable water access on their erven.
“This is neither prudent nor fair. Service delivery remains painfully slow, and there is little evidence of tangible improvement to justify the continued financial strain placed on residents,” he said.
He questioned the rationale behind repeated tariff increases while many informal settlements continue to experience inadequate sanitation and sewerage infrastructure.
“What, then, are these charges meant to fund? Before imposing further financial demands, the city must prioritize proper sewerage systems, shift containers and consistent waste collection services,” David said.
Both activists maintain that any future tariff increases should be directly linked to measurable improvements in municipal services.
David suggested that the City should refrain from implementing further tariff increases until it clearly explains how additional revenue will be used and what benefits residents can expect.
He also called for the expansion of sanitation infrastructure in informal settlements, increased waste collection, the provision of additional shift containers where needed, and the publication of a time-bound service delivery plan with measurable targets.
“Residents cannot be asked to pay more for services they still do not receive. Any increase should be tied to visible improvements, public reporting and accountability. Without that, the increase will be seen as unfair and disconnected from the reality on the ground,” he said.
The City of Windhoek last week announced that municipal tariffs had increased by an average of 4%, effective 1 July 2026.
In a public notice, the municipality said the adjustments are intended to enable the City to continue providing and maintaining essential municipal services and infrastructure for the benefit of all residents.
“We thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work together to build a sustainable Windhoek,” the City said.
