By Hilja Shikongo
Residents from Windhoek, Okahandja, and Walvis Bay gathered recently at the gates of RedForce Debt Management in Windhoek to demand answers over the company’s continued involvement in debt collection despite claims that its contract with the three local authorities has ended.
The demonstration, organized by the /Khomas Residents Association, questioned why RedForce continues to visit residents, deduct money, and issue disconnection notices when its contractual authority has been disputed. The association spokesperson Shaun Gariseb said the protest was aimed at seeking clarity from both RedForce and the City of Windhoek.
“We are holding this protest to understand why they keep visiting residents’ homes asking for debts while their contract with the City of Windhoek has ended. There was a clear directive that they should stop their operations,” Gariseb said. He added that residents are also questioning the legality of RedForce’s appointment. “If there are documents to show that this company was lawfully appointed, let the councillors and the administration bring them out and be transparent,” he added.
Elvis Goaseb, a resident from Walvis Bay, said similar concerns have been raised in other towns.
“The reality is that I do not have a contract with RedForce. My contract is with the municipality, and now we are being handed over. We are questioning why only one debt collecting company seems to operate in different towns,” Goaseb said. “People do not have water at their homes. How do school children bathe themselves in the morning because of not being able to pay? Water is a basic need,” he said.
One of the elderly protesters, Jacqueline Cooter, said residents are frustrated by ongoing deductions despite the reported end of the contract. “We are protesting to ask why RedForce is still behind our backs, following us with debt deductions. We are tired and we want clear answers,” said Cooter.
In a letter addressed to the /Khomas Residents Association titled “Without Prejudice of Rights,” RedForce Debt Management responded through its deputy chief executive officer and legal advisor, margaret M. Malambo, stating that the company was lawfully appointed and continues to act under a valid mandate.
“RedForce Debt Management is a duly appointed service provider of the Municipality of Windhoek, contracted under a valid procurement process. We did not appoint ourselves our mandate flows directly from the municipality,” Malambo said.
“We will accordingly continue to discharge our mandate unless and until the contract is declared invalid by a competent court of law. It is therefore not within the authority of your association to unilaterally suspend or invalidate this mandate,” she added. Malambo further rejected claims that RedForce has harassed residents.
“To date, neither you nor your association has provided substantiated proof of unlawful conduct by RedForce or its agents. Lawful follow-ups on amounts owed to our client, carried out within the scope of our mandate, do not constitute harassment.” RedForce also cautioned the residents’ association against holding demonstrations at its offices, noting that the company operates on private property.
“Your threats to march to our offices fall squarely within the ambit of the Intimidation Proclamation, AG 24 of 1989, which criminalizes any attempt to intimidate or coerce the lawful exercise of rights or performance of obligations,” Malambo said. “Any protest or demonstration at our premises would therefore constitute trespass.” The company emphasized that any concerns regarding its appointment should be directed to the City of Windhoek, which remains the contracting authority.
“RedForce merely executes its mandate under that appointment and is not the decision-maker in this regard.” Responding to the public concern, City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye confirmed that the contract with RedForce has indeed ended but clarified that the company continues to handle previously assigned accounts.
“The contract between RedForce and the City of Windhoek has come to an end. But the people who were handed over before the contract came to an end will still be dealt with by RedForce until the debts have been collected or finished payment,” Akwenye said. “Those who came after the contract ended will be dealt with in-house by the City of Windhoek, and no new accounts have been handed over since then,” he added.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said it has no comment at this stage regarding the allegations surrounding the contract or procurement process. Residents say they intend to continue engaging authorities and civic leaders to demand a transparent review of municipal debt collection practices and stronger regulation of private debt management companies.
