The Electricity Control Board (ECB) of Namibia says it will temporarily halt its response to public complaints about local authorities blocking prepaid electricity meters due to unpaid municipal service arrears.
This pause comes as the ECB’s recent ruling on the matter faces a legal challenge, restricting the regulator from taking any action while the case proceeds.
“As such, the complaints regarding the blocking of prepaid electricity meters by local authorities due to arrears on other municipal services will not be investigated by the ECB pending the outcome of the legal proceedings,”the regulator said.
This follows as the ECB issued its initial ruling on 27 June 2024, followed by a public notice on social media on 11 July 2024, condemning the practice of blocking prepaid electricity meters to recover debts for other municipal services.
The regulator argued that this practice by local authorities is inconsistent with the Electricity Act, Act No. 4 of 2007, and its supporting regulations.
The ECB considers such actions a violation of Namibians’ rights to access electricity, which should not be compromised by unrelated municipal debts.
“However, please be assured that the ECB will not abdicate its mandate as the Electricity Regulator in Namibia, and will promptly inform the public of the outcome of the legal proceedings and the way forward,” ECB said.
After the ECB’s ruling in July, the City of Windhoek said it will continue blocking prepaid electricity meters for residents with outstanding municipal accounts for water or rates and taxes.
City of Windhoek Mayor Queen Omagano Kamati said the ECB’s directive contradicts the constitutional and statutory mandate of the Windhoek Municipal Council.
She noted that the City is mandated by the Local Authority Act, Act 23 of 1992, as amended, to provide municipal services to its residents.
In delivering these services, the City enters into contractual agreements with each client, outlining the obligations of both parties.
Kamati said this provision does not specifically state that the fees must be related to electricity. The City maintains that the Council is a license holder, and the customer has breached this agreement due to nonpayment, which may result in the discontinuation of the electricity supply.
As a result, blocking prepaid electricity meters has been employed as a last resort to encourage clients in arrears to settle their outstanding accounts.
Kamati noted that the inability of clients to pay for services adversely affects the Council’s operations, impeding its ability to provide services to other residents.
