The Deputy Mayor of the City of Windhoek, Joseph Uapingene, has labelled the Katutura Residents Committee (KRC) as "ungrateful" and their demands as "inhumane."

Since mid-2023, the group KRC has been at loggerheads with the Windhoek City Council and its administrators over the appointment of a debt collector. 

The group has been demanding that the city terminate its contract with Red Force, the city's debt collection agency.

The city has maintained that using the services of Red Force is effective and financially viable.

Uapingene at the City Council Chambers blasted the KRC, saying the city has vowed to write off the debt of senior citizens and that the concerned group should be grateful for this move instead of subjecting the municipality to unrealistic demands.

Another issue raised by the Katutura Residents Committee is the concern of prepaid electricity metres being blocked due to outstanding debts for other services.

Uapingene, however, explained that the city is guided by the regulations and that the measure aims to recover debts for services rendered, ensuring equitable payment and sustainable service provision.

Windhoek CEO Moses Matyayi has maintained that the city does not hand over senior citizens for debt collection.

The KRC were not present at the city chambers; one of the group leaders, Shaun Gariseb, informed nbc News that the group was not invited.

Residents owe the municipality N$524 million.