Schlettwein questions legality of cash not accepted for city parking

By: Staff Reporter

Former finance minister, Calle Schlettwein, has questioned the City of Windhoek after a municipal parking agent allegedly refused to accept his cash payment.

Schlettwein took to social media on Tuesday, saying he was “surprised” when he offered cash as payment, but it was rejected.

“My understanding remains that Namibia dollar cash in coins or notes is legal tender and cannot be refused as payment, as per the Bank of Namibia Act,” he wrote.

Schlettwein argues that Namibian banknotes and coins remain legal tender and should not be refused as payment, raising questions over the city’s parking payment policy and the legality of cashless transactions.

“These are electronic payment methods registered and accepted as legal tender, but with them it is a matter of choice by consumer and trader,” he said.

City of Windhoek spokesperson, Harold Akwenye, said he was not aware of the incident, but indicated that the parking contractor, KeyPlot Investment (KPI), is gradually phasing out cash payments.

He said the parking system is not directly run by the city, but by KPI, which introduced the parking card system.

“There have been incidents where the people collecting cash were robbed,” he said.

An official, who declined to be named, said the move is aimed at protecting employees.

“You understand that these parking facilities belong to the City of Windhoek, and that we are working for them. You will also notice that even people using city buses no longer pay cash,” she said.

The incident comes as the city recently announced temporary changes to its cash hall operations and encouraged residents to make use of its online payment platforms.

The adjusted cash hall operating arrangements from 30 June to 31 July 2026.

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