The Rehoboth Town Council and Africa Huaxia Mining are negotiating a settlement agreement after the council took the company to court for a N.dollars 3 212 000 rental bill dating from February 2010 to April 2022.
According to the town council the rental amount per month stood at N.dollars 22 000.
The council also argues that the Chinese mining company has to settle an electricity bill of N.dollars 8 594 383.13 for June 2011 to January 2018 and is seeking an order that would compel the company to pay the debt at an interest rate of 20 per cent per annum from March 2010 until the final date of payment.
The town council also wants Africa Huaxia mining to vacate its premises, the Swartmodder Copper Mine, measuring 25 7455 hectares.
On Tuesday, Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula postponed the matter to 12 September 2023 for a status hearing.
The town council, represented by Hafeni Hamunyela on instruction of government attorneys, indicated that they would amend their documents. The court was however informed that the parties have not finalised their settlement discussions but that there are prospects of a settlement.
The town council argues that despite its various demands, Africa Huaxia has refused to pay the outstanding amounts.
“The defendant, by its possession, occupation and use of the premises and the utilisation of the electricity service, has been unjustifiably enriched to the benefit of electricity consumption at the plaintiff’s expense,” the council argues in court documents.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency