Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys have terminated their services to the Walvis Bay Municipality as its legal practitioner in both High Court cases brought forth by RedForce debt collectors.

A letter addressed to the municipality dated 16 July 2024 and seen by Nampa on Wednesday, said the termination is effective immediately.

Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys was appointed by the Walvis Municipality to look into the debt collecting contract awarded to RedForce.

A report compiled by the law firm alleges that about N.dollars 17 million was paid to RedForce during the first nine months after entering their agreement. The Municipality of Walvis Bay appointed RedForce in September 2023.

Additionally, on the day on which the contract commenced, the debt collector received N.dollars 313 000.

It is also alleged that over N.dollars 1 million was received on 13 October 2023 without collecting any debts on behalf of the council.

According to the law firm, among the reasons of its decisions to terminate the agreement is the fact th
at the client refuses to comply with the provisions of the Local Authorities Act, the Public Procurement Act 15 of 2015, and its own Credit Control Policy and Water Regulations.

‘Our firm cannot continue to represent a client of your ilk. We hereby terminate all services to the Municipal Council of Walvis Bay. We will file our Notice of Withdrawal as Legal Practitioners of Record in both High Court cases on 17 July 2024.

‘The court order in both matters on the Plea of the Municipal Council of Walvis Bay is due on 26 July 2024 and on 30 July 2024 respectively, however your resolutions have effectively settled such matter to the detriment of your electorate in favour of RedForce,’ the document noted.

Additionally, according to the law firm, there is extremely relevant information concealed by the municipality which will provide further information into the appointment of RedForce as exclusive debt collector for the Municipality of Walvis Bay.

‘Such information has for obvious reasons been blocked and/or tai
lored to prevent positive conclusions, which makes further investigation impossible.’

Contacted for comment, Walvis Bay Municipality Acting Chief Executive Officer David Uushona simply confirmed receipt of the letter.

Source: The Namibia News Agency