1. According to the attendance register 46 people attended the Annual General Meeting on 23 November 2005

The meeting was addressed by the Chairman, Mr R Mueller who read the minutes of the previous meeting.

2. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

3. The Annual General Report for the year 2005 was tabled and approved. Two additional issues were discussed, namely the matter concerning the outstanding amount of N$ 24 million for the erfr of the new State House to the City of Windhoek by the Government, as well as the debt of Government regarding Ramatex. The City of Windhoek advanced the financing of the development of the Ramatex erf in the amount of N$ 65 million, of which Government was supposed to pay N$ 32,5 million, but eventually only paid N$ 19 million. The remaining debt of N$ 13.5 million has in the meantime accumulated to the amount of some N$ 30 million again. It was proposed that the WRA would proceed against the City of Windhoek to force them to take legal action against Government, before a precedent is created. Mr Mueller thinks, as a watchdog of the ratepayers, the WRA is obliged to act. Later on during the meeting it was resolved that the WRA be empowered to act accordingly.

4. The Financial Report 2004/ 2005, read by Mr Bödecker, was tabled and accepted.

5. Mr Bödecker advised the meeting that the City of Windhoek is about to demand a deposit for municipal fees, amounting to as much as N$ 30 000 in some cases for business premises. He proposed that a Trust Account be opened at a bank, into which such monies could be deposited and the interest of which would be for the benefit of the owner of the premises.

Further Mr Bödecker told the audience that a certain citizen was shocked to learn that her previous tenant‘s water and light account had not been paid for months, if not years and that his consumption had never been terminated by the municipality. She was presented with the account for payment, together with the tenant‘s municipal debt of about N$ 2000 from the previous house he rented, amountimng to some N$ 18 000 in total.

The above mentioned lessor, enquired what she could do in this matter. Although another house- and business owner, who had experienced a similar dilemma, maintained that he succeeded in refusing to pay the debt of his previous tenant, Mr Mueller advised the meeting as follows:

In the event that a house owner wishes to sell his property and the municipal account is not settled, the municipality will refuse to supply him with a Clearance Certificate. This means that one cannot sell your house without having paid one‘s municipal account.

Mr Bödecker advised any lessor to have a pre-paid electricity box installed to prevent such losses in future. Another option would be to appoint a Property Agent to handle the letting and administration of properties.

6. The same directors were re-appopinted, being Messrs Mueller, Bödecker and Gühring.

7. One member propagated the recruitment of more members for the WRA, especially amongst the Afrikaans, English and also the black citizens (as it seems that the WRA only has German members), to be able to put more pressure on the municipality. Another member proposed, in order to win more members for the WRA, to start with the question: „Are you happy with the City of Windhoek?"

According to Mr Bödecker the members are in the ratio of: 80% German speaking, 15% English speaking and 5% Afrikaans speaking. Currently the WRA has 220 members, who according to Mr Mueller, already can make a difference and have the right to bew heard, as they pay rates and taxes. This was noticed at previous meetings with the CEO of the City of Windhoek.

8. A member enquired about the City Police - to him it seems that they are attending to the parking culprits, rather than to crime prevention. He was advised that there are two City Police departments - one for traffic and one for crime.

9. A member of the WRA complained about the few citizens, who attend the meetings of the City of Windhoek. At the last meeting in the Suiderhof School e.g., there were only 20 people present. One should not be surprised if things go wrong, if nobody shows any interest in the important issues of our City.

10. Two members spoke to Mr Mueller about difficulties with Body Corporates. According to him a Body Corporate by law is compelled to have a committee, which sees to it that the municipal fees are paid. The municipality sends only one account, which has to be divided amongst the owners of the Body Corporate.

11. A member complained about the way in which his property was valuated by the official of the City of Windhoek. He was advised by Mr Bödecker that the person who inspects the properties only has to report what he sees, e.g. tile floors, ceilings etc. After that the valuation is done by trained valuatos. He was supported by another member.

12. A member praised and thanked the Board of the WRA for a job well done and especially for the fact that the financial position of the association is in a sound condition.

13. A member enquired whether the WRA could inform the municipality of unauthorised building activities he is aware of, but Mr Mueller told him that this was not the duty of the association.

14. After the end of the meeting many new members were enrolled and paid their contributions.

There being no further business, the meeting terminated at 20h00.