Rehoboth restores water to schools
Written by Staff Reporter on June 9, 2026
The Rehoboth Town Council restored water to all schools on Tuesday, after shutting off water due to non-payment of water bills.
The council’s chief executive, Ronald Windswaai, made the announcement on Tuesday.
“The temporary suspension of services was undertaken within the framework of a directive issued by the minister on 21 May, which called upon government institutions to make the necessary arrangements within local authorities regarding outstanding municipal obligations,” Windswaai said.
In the directive, minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa says continuous non-payment of bills to the Namibia Power Corporation and Namibia Water Corporation was causing severe financial strain on municipalities.
Sankwasa directed local authorities to cut off government institutions that had run afoul of repayment agreements with the utility companies.
“As a local authority entrusted with the provision and sustainability of essential services, the council was required to act in accordance with its legal and administrative responsibilities,” Windswaai said.
Rehoboth’s council met on Monday night with officials from the education ministry to discuss restoring the water. The water supply to some schools was restored on Monday night, while the remaining schools were expected to receive water on Tuesday.
The notice says negotiations with relevant stakeholders are still ongoing.
“It is anticipated that discussions aimed at securing a sustainable and mutually beneficial resolution will continue during the course of the week to avoid any recurrence of similar circumstances,” Windswaai said.
