Westminster Hall

Create a scheme where disputed service charges are payable to courts or similar body and only passed to landlords if they can prove the charge's legitimacy. Otherwise, the money returns to the tenant/...

Sam and Evangeline Thorn say service charge increases mean they have had to put their lives on hold.

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund residents will pay more for municipal services in this financial year.  A five percent increase in service fees is proposed in the town’s draft budget. Councillor Wilfried Groenewald, chairperson of the Swakopmund Municipality’s management committee, tabled the N$579 million budget during a special council meeting on Friday. The budget allocates N$494 million for operational costs and N$85 million for capital development. Groenewald said the tariff adjustments are necessary to maintain service quality despite rising costs.  “The five percent increase is a measured approach aimed at sustaining service delivery without placing too much strain on residents,” he said. The new rates are expected to take effect on 1 July 2025, pending approval from the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development. The increase will apply to all services, including water, electricity, sewerage, refuse removal, and town planning. Groenewald described the budget as practical and focused on long-term development. He said Swakopmund is growing rapidly and the municipality must meet the rising demand for services. “This budget supports sustainable infrastructure development while maintaining existing facilities and improving service delivery to all communities,” he said. He acknowledged financial constraints and said the municipality would invest strategically in housing, roads, and sanitation. “We must continue building capacity in areas where service delivery is lagging while maintaining our commitment to sound financial management,” he said. Groenewald urged residents to pay their municipal bills on time. “Community cooperation is essential. We rely on ratepayers to make this budget a working document rather than a paper plan,” he said. He also called for partnerships with the private sector and development agencies to grow the local economy. He encouraged public engagement with the municipality. “Let us continue working together to make Swakopmund a resilient, forward-looking town that serves the needs of all who live and invest here,” he said. Once approved, the new budget will guide the town’s priorities and services for the 2025/2026 financial year.