City, debt manager at loggerheads

THE City of Windhoek has distanced itself from a debt management agent accused of pocketing the money it is collecting from its clients to settle their municipal debts.

The company owner, Michael Hanib, has dismissed the allegations. Recent media reports stated that Trinity Debt Management Services, established in July this year, allegedly left some 500 residents of Windhoek, Gobabis and Swakopmund in tears after they paid more than N$125 000 to it.People needing help with paying their municipal bills are required to pay Trinity a registration fee of N$250 and a further N$250 as the initial fee for the services to be rendered.But some clients – especially those who owe the City of Windhoek a lot of money – have complained that their debts continued to escalate because the agent failed to settle them.The City of Windhoek said it was disturbed by false allegations that it had an agreement with Trinity and by residents’ complaints about the services of this company.In a statement, City spokesperson Liz Sibindi said the municipality had no agreement with Trinity and it was not acting on behalf of the City.”As such, the City of Windhoek is not liable for any inconveniences that may result from engagement with this or any third parties in the payment chain without its approval,” said Sibindi.She said Trinity approached the municipality two months ago and proposed for a partnership in this regard.”However, the City requested a complete company profile, as well as the copy of the agreement being signed with the clients, from this company by or before October 17 2008,” said the City statement.The requested information had not been received to date, it said.Yesterday, Hanib admitted that he had no agreement with the City, but claimed the negotiations were still on.He denied that the company had failed to settle its clients’ debts.Some people had not given it the necessary information so that payment could be made, he claimed.He said as long as there were people coming to him for help, no lawyer would stand in his way of doing just that.If anyone dared sue his company, they should get their facts straight, he warned.”Because I will sue them like nobody’s business,” he added.Recent media reports stated that Trinity Debt Management Services, established in July this year, allegedly left some 500 residents of Windhoek, Gobabis and Swakopmund in tears after they paid more than N$125 000 to it.People needing help with paying their municipal bills are required to pay Trinity a registration fee of N$250 and a further N$250 as the initial fee for the services to be rendered.But some clients – especially those who owe the City of Windhoek a lot of money – have complained that their debts continued to escalate because the agent failed to settle them.The City of Windhoek said it was disturbed by false allegations that it had an agreement with Trinity and by residents’ complaints about the services of this company.In a statement, City spokesperson Liz Sibindi said the municipality had no agreement with Trinity and it was not acting on behalf of the City.”As such, the City of Windhoek is not liable for any inconveniences that may result from engagement with this or any third parties in the payment chain without its approval,” said Sibindi.She said Trinity approached the municipality two months ago and proposed for a partnership in this regard.”However, the City requested a complete company profile, as well as the copy of the agreement being signed with the clients, from this company by or before October 17 2008,” said the City statement.The requested information had not been received to date, it said.Yesterday, Hanib admitted that he had no agreement with the City, but claimed the negotiations were still on.He denied that the company had failed to settle its clients’ debts.Some people had not given it the necessary information so that payment could be made, he claimed.He said as long as there were people coming to him for help, no lawyer would stand in his way of doing just that.If anyone dared sue his company, they should get their facts straight, he warned.”Because I will sue them like nobody’s business,” he added.