Staff Reporter
THE Redforce debt management company has taken the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, to court, suing the minister for N$850,000 for an array of allegedly defamatory statements the minister made against it.
In the particulars of claim, Etzold-Duvenhage, the law firm representing Redforce in the matter, detailed a number of statements Sankwasa made against Redforce which were published in local newspapers after he directed all local authorities to cancel their debt management contracts with Redforce, as it allegedly is corrupt and has underhand dealings with the elite to score contracts. The company added that Sankwasa has had a vendetta against it since 2017, after the company sought to recoup debts linked to Sankwasa, which included an Agribank loan as well as municipal arrears in Katima Mulilo.
The law firm detailed that on or about 4 August 2025, Sankwasa issued a written directive to all local authorities stating that Redforce “has caused many economic and political challenges and problems for citizens and residents in all such local authorities that use the services,” adding that local authorities should not enter into new or renewed agreements with Redforce.
The law firm argued that the above statements were wrongful and defamatory as they made readers believe that Redforce caused economic and political challenges and problems and poses a threat to society.
In another claim, the minister is quoted as saying that “The nation has been crying for so many years about exploitation by this company. Some local authorities will argue that debt collection is done well by the external companies, but that’s because they have some shares and receive commission. I am not here for that. We are not here to sell this country.”
The law firm argued that these remarks were wrongful and defamatory as they portrayed Redforce as an entity that exploits citizens and communities for profit and that it engages in dishonest and unethical practices.
Etzold-Duvenhage demanded a retraction from Sankwasa for the above statements, among many others listed in court documents, an unconditional apology, and payment in the amount of N$850,000, as well as costs of suit, as relief it seeks from the High Court.
