Issues to fix
Issues to fix

Issues to fix

Mandy Rittmann
GERT H MAASDORP WRITES:

Why is it that bureaucracy, jealousy, hatred, arrogance, protectionism, nepotism, tribalism and all the other bad “ism's” are still the order of the day?

Unfortunately reconciliation seems too remain just a myth. Why can't people objectively look past somebody's colour of skin and focus on the good characteristics in people? We are Namibians first and foremost - tribes come only afterwards.

The Consumer Protection Bill has not yet been promulgated, which is a disgrace. I am thus appealing to all vibrant and energetic parliamentarians to push this very important law of empowerment relentlessly forward.

It is understandable that human rights lawyers will not render their services for free – they also need bread on the table. But the Ministry of Justice is squarely to blame for the situation that assistance is granted in criminal cases instead of civil and rights cases. Hopefully the new minister will rectify it as a matter of urgency.

It is unjust for the City of Windhoek to whenever they experience cash flow problems, run to the poor consumers by raising tariffs. This is irrational, autocratic and reckless. One cannot apply this quick fix every time.

This dangerous and upward spiral makes it virtually impossible for thousands of people to ever settle their debts. Some even lost their houses.

One could fill all the green refuse drums of Windhoek ten times to the brim with complaints about the municipality.

The terrible drought as well as the Covid-19 pandemic apparently also does not seem to bother the CoW. Just squeeze even more blood out of the dry stone.

More than eighty percent of residents live in poverty, while top city officials form part of the very rich. This while CoW is experiencing shortages of hundreds of millions.

Windhoek is also one of the most expensive cities in the world.

This CoW is like an old overrated vehicle with severely defect brakes running down a very steep slope on its way to total destruction. It's a mere matter of good planning combined with prioritizing. Surely one could still deliver top quality services with less capital. It can be achieved with good, skillful and energetic leadership.

The CoW is experiencing a serious leadership crisis. Is there some one who have the means, capacity and ability to steer this ship with a steady and firm hand through very stormy waters with the utmost authority - to the benefit of all its citizens?

This unhealthy situation at a critical institution is made worse by never ending and sickening power struggles and infighting.

Councillors should serve as watchdogs on behalf of the consumers, but they are so much at each other's throats that they forget about the genuine cries and pleas for help. This sends all the wrong signals to smaller towns.

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Republikein 2025-05-10

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