The provision of potable water and electricity remains a challenge in Maltahohe and Aranos.

Residents in those areas live in corrugated shelters and share one public- tap.

The residents claimed that one water tap is no more enough as the population has increased in those areas and they have to queue for hours to fetch water.

Some residents including the elderly have to walk a long distance to fetch water from the nearest water point.

The municipality of Swakopmund has cautioned its residents to desist from illegal electrical connections and put out candles before they leave home or go to bed.

Nineteen people were left homeless after their shacks burned to the ground in Mondesa, near Swakopmund, on Monday.

The department of works from the Swakopmund municipality was on site to clear the area while the offices of the Chief Executive Officer and the Mayor handed out food, mattresses, blankets, clothes, and other basic necessities to those affected by the fire.

Almost 1000 illegal electricity connections were detected by the Keetmanshoop Electricity Department, despite an amnesty issued last year to those who have been bypassing electricity meters.

The Keetmanshoop municipality has an active customer base of about six thousand pre-paid electricity meters, which collectively contribute about N$90 million to its coffers annually.

Despite recording an increase in revenue collection from the distribution and supply of electricity, the municipality continues to record losses due to illegal electricity connections.

The Leader of the Landless People's Movement, LPM, Bernadus Swartbooi, has called for the speedy implementation of a rescue plan, such as the writing off of debts to address the high electricity tariffs.

A motion requesting NamPower and NamWater to write off local authorities' debts was tabled by the LPM.

In his contribution, Swartbooi says the current economic hardship is making it difficult for local authorities to settle their debts with the entities.