Otjiwarongo: The Otjiwarongo Municipality has observed a notable rise in outstanding rates and taxes, escalating from N.dollars 65 million at the start of the year to nearly N.dollars 80 million by the close of March. According to Namibia Press Agency, Laudia Hamukwaya, the strategic executive for finance at the municipality, highlighted during presentations at two separate meetings in the town that private residential properties are responsible for N.dollars 58.3 million of the debt. Pensioners in Orwetoveni owe over N.dollars 11.3 million. Additionally, local businesses are in arrears by approximately N.dollars 6.4 million, and various government ministries owe the council about N.dollars 3.7 million. Hamukwaya mentioned that despite implementing several measures, including water disconnection and issuing notices to those in arrears, the efforts have not achieved the desired results. She noted, "Some of these accounts are as old as 20 years and keep on accumulating." To address the situation, the municip ality launched a mass disconnection campaign on 31 January 2026. This initiative targeted residential homes, church buildings, government offices, and business properties that had not settled their rates and taxes for two consecutive months. At that time, residents owed the municipality more than N.dollars 65 million. Hamukwaya urged residents to make arrangements with the debt office to settle their bills, emphasizing the need for cooperation. The town currently manages 8,968 active accounts, comprising 1,760 holders in informal areas and 7,208 in the formalized sections of Otjiwarongo.