On 18 August 2005 at 15h00 a meeting took place between the Executive Committee of the Windhoek Ratepayers Association and the City of Windhoek. The following persons represented the City of Windhoek:

the CEO, Mr N K Taapopi,

Director of Finances, Mr R M Gertze,

Director for Infrastructure, Water and Technical Services, Mr P. du Pisani as well as an Assistant in the CEO‘s Office, Mr Shipiki.

From the WRA the following persons took part:

Mr R Mueller, a lawyer and Chairperson of the WRA

Mr H. Bödecker, Secretary and Treasurer of the WRA and

Mr W. Gühring, Member of the Executive of the WRA.

The following points for discussion were on the agenda: The increase of salaries/ wages of workers and employees of the Municipality and subsequently the 14th salary (refer to an article in the NAMIBIAN of 12 July 2005 and the open letter in which the WRA reacted to the City of Windhoek in different newspapers) and the costs involved for the Municipality of Windhoek amounting to N$ 15 960 for the motorcade for the Prime Minister T.-B. Gurirab for the trip to the Heroe‘s Day celebrations in Ongulumbashe in the North of Namibia. (refer to article in the AZ on 1 October 2004).

Ad 1: The WRA is of the opinion that two salary- or wage-increases within 12 months are not justified. The explanation we received was: The first increase in July 2004 was negotiated by the Union and concerned only the lowest salary-levels (unskilled and semi-skilled workers), while the second increase in November 2004 was applicable to skilled employees, experts and Heads of Divisions only. Thus, there were not two increases within 12 months, but only one increase for two different groups.Concerning the 14th month‘s salary, we stressed that a 14th cheque was paid in 2003 and this would create a danger: if the increase was repeated in 2005 a kind of „common law" would be initiated that these increases could take place every second year. After discussions we were assured that the possibility of a 14th salary was no more applicable.

Ad 2: According to Municipal Regulations the City of Windhoek must provide a motorcade for the President or the Prime Minister if asked to do so, but only within the borders of the municipal area. The WRA is of opinion that the budgets of different Ministries should provide for such costs and it is thus not justified that ratepayers should bear these costs. We therefore urged the Municipality to claim the amount of N$ 15 960 back from the Office of the Prime Minister. We were informed that negotiations with the Office of the Prime Minister would be asked for and we would receive a written report on these negotiations.

A further point of discussion was not solved, since the Municipality still has to gather a mountain of information and facts on this subject.The WRA promised their support and documents of evidence in this matter. This point will be further discussed.. The meeting ended after an hour and 15 minutes. We were assured that the door of the CEO‘s office would always be open for our concerns and objections.