The new mayor of Keetmanshoop, Emrico Blaauw, has vowed to curb unemployment and hunger.

Blaauw made the pledge at the swearing-in ceremony following his election on Friday.

Keetmanshoop municipality employees were dissatisfied after Councillor Easter Isaak failed to provide a firm date regarding their demand on the removal of the acting Chief Executive Officer Desiree Boois.

The Keetmanshoop Municipality has postponed the planned water supply disconnection that was scheduled for the 24th of March until the 7th of April 2026.

The municipality announced in a public notice that the disconnections will apply to all consumers with outstanding balances older than 31 January 2026.

The Keetmanshoop Municipality, INOTA Investment and Standard Bank are partnering in a N$19 million project to develop 30 industrial erven at the town.

Keetmanshoop Councillor Annelize Knaus says lack of serviced land has long hindered investment and employment opportunities.

The Keetmanshoop Municipality has written off municipal debts totalling N$75 million for senior citizens, the unemployed, and people with disabilities. 

The Keetmanshoop Municipality has accumulated losses totalling N$77 million over the past three years, while its liabilities exceed its assets by N$199,831.

These damning findings were revealed in the audit reports for the financial years that ended June 2020 and 2021. 

Keetmanshoop Mayor, Annelize Knaus, has commissioned a series of interlocked paved roads in the Westdene and Kronlein residential areas. 

The Keetmanshoop Municipality has acquired and commissioned new earthmoving equipment valued at nearly N$6 million.

At the unveiling of the new yellow fleet, Mayor Annelize Knaus noted that the journey to acquire this equipment faced several challenges.

The Keetmanshoop Municipality has introduced the Performance Management System (PMS) to monitor and enhance the overall efficiency of its staff.

The PMS's objective is to facilitate increased accountability, learning, and improvement as well as decision-making.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts has directed the Keetmanshoop Municipality and Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) to expedite their discussions to prevent further water and electricity supply disruption to the !Homs-Ai community market.