Is compensation too much to ask?

GERT H MAASDORP WRITES:The reasons why this municipality of Windhoek (CoW) are so hugely unpopular as well and highly controversial as seen through the eyes of Windhoek citizens are as follows.Hopefully someone up there in high office will take notice and take appropriate action in decisively dealing with those who are failing dismally in flattening the curve concerning my traumatic experience encountered at CoW as well as the general poor services delivery to its consumers.On 16 and 17 March 2017 my water was negligently, abruptly and mercilessly cut off thereby depriving me of the most essential life giving commodity, despite me paying punctually and legitimately in full every cent what is due. In addition this cutting off of my water has been done without any substantial verification what so ever (which I can proof).There is a huge difference between me and the actual defaulter in terms of our names, residential address, account numbers, etc. Emerging out of this I was just wondering . . .Surely it could never been described as just another small accident since it was supposed to be detected well in advance by supervisors. Why did these people fall asleep specifically during that particular time?Should I rather rephrase it in saying that they were just plain grossly negligent? Could it also be that they are so completely incompetent that they didn't know what they were doing?Which in turn leave a huge question mark over, as well as a big black clot on their appointment credentials and their management, because of a lack of control and monitoring. It seems that there are a serious lack of these managerial skills - always at the expense of already financially overburdened consumers.On that tragic day of 16 March 2017 I tried desperately and diligently to contact this CoW about my very bad situation and traumatic experience, however, it was all in vain – their telephones remained unanswered, which seems to be their trademark over many years now.Should all employees of any organization not be guided by his/her job description as well as be driven by a code of ethics? This kind of unprofessional and deplorable action incurred extra challenges and sacrifices, such as unnecessary fuel expenses, bottled water, fast food, etc.Not to mention the bad psychological experiences (trauma, anxiety, depression, anger, stress, etc.). All of these could have very seriously affected my health or that of anyone else who suffers the same fate.From the beginning I demanded compensation coupled with a sincere apology. It is my conviction that I am entitled to compensation because they know that they are the guilty party. They know that they stripped and robbed me of my dignity due to their unprofessional conduct.FROM PILLAR TO POSTIn view of all this I have been engaging with high ranking officials to register my discontent and dismay in the hope of convincing them to show compassion, but sadly to say without any meaningful success.One manager, after I sent him three highly professional letters, after a very long time reluctantly sent me three very similar, half-baked and insignificant letters (one even arrived after one month in my mail box). He mentioned in these letters: “We already reversed all charges related to this action.”Which “charges”? Why was this matter not investigated further?The actual burning issues like compensation, etc. was conveniently omitted. It appears that no steps or action have been taken against the culprit(s).To Mr. Robert Kahimise (Chief Executive Officer) I wrote four letters on 24 March 2017, 30 May 2017, 3 November 2017 and 15 November 2017. I never received a single response. It was really very disappointing and saddening, coming from their highest office of administration.To another manager (acting CEO on 5 December 2018) I gave a lot of supporting copies in order for him to get a clearer picture. However, my high positive expectation was dashed because he too, also never dropped me a single line.On 11 November 2019 I wrote to Mr. Muesee Kazapua (previous Mayor) and asked him the following questions:• Don't you think sir that it defies any logic why your CoW fails in being more accommodative towards me and instead add tangible value to me as a negatively affected aggrieved consumer – especially when there was undoubtedly gross negligence involved which indeed has inflicted so much unbearable pain?• Why and frustratingly so, nobody in your management seems willing and able in explaining beyond any reasonable doubt and with substantiated proof to me why your employees cut off my water on 16 and 17 March 2017 without any proper verification – thus depriving me of my legitimately paid precious water?• Why was the whole unhappy incident not properly monitored in preventing all this?• Could one now assume as an emphatic fact that arrogance and bureaucracy has been the order of the day at this municipality and that one should brace oneself that even more worse treatment is on its way for the future?• Why is it that my intelligence has been severely insulted and underestimated? Could one now also assume that I have never been taken seriously?• Could one now also assume that there seems to be an unwritten policy that whenever a consumer (like me) have been severely negatively affected because of gross negligence by your employees then those consumers should just be blindly rejected at all costs?• Why the inability and reluctance to take ownership and resolve complaints and disputes which are actually very simple and straight forward by resolving it promptly and efficiently and thereby ensuring that healthy relationship?Overall sir, what have I done wrong in all sincerity in deserving such heinous treatment?Mr. Kazapua is gone without ever reverting to me.On 6 March 2020 I wrote a letter to Me. Fransina Kahungu (current Mayor) in which I was merely enquiring if she got any information in connection with a possible response from the previous Mayor. I was also hoping she would consider my case more positively. I also did not receive a single line of acknowledgement.Mr. Peya Mushelenga (previous Minister of Ministry of Urban and Rural Development) received a letter from me on 7 November 2018. He responded, for which I am very thankful, however, disappointingly, I actually expected more firmness from the Minister towards the CoW.So I am still just hanging in the air.It is tragic, regrettable and very much disappointing that nobody in this CoW want to assist me.

Is compensation too much to ask?

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Republikein 2025-04-08

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Is compensation too much to ask?

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Republikein 2025-04-08

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