His comments follow NamWater's decision to cut water to several towns across the country because they failed to pay their accounts.

Speaking in the National Assembly yesterday, Kaura argued that the provision of water should not be "privatised".

He demanded that water be provided free of charge to vulnerable groups.

"Why should we punish a peasant farmer for not paying his water bill while his annual income is perhaps below N$24 000, the threshold from where salaried income is taxed," he asked.

He cited the plight of Rundu residents, who are allegedly drawing water from the river and where hospitals and schools are struggling to maintain hygienic standards because of water shortages.

"Is NamWater now the God of Namibia that must decide who should live and who should die? The country is in the middle of a severe drought.

There is no water, it did not rain - yet NamWater is cutting off the little bit of available water to the people.

That is, at best, very stupid," bemoaned Kaura.

He accused NamWater of being a profit-driven institution and moved that the Act establishing the utility be abolished.

NamWater's Acting CEO, Vaino Shivute, was in the gallery during the debate.

Afterwards he told The Namibian he was not opposed to the subsidisation of water, but said that the cost could not be carried by his company.

"If the consumer is not willing to pay for their water, then someone else must step in.

We have the responsibility to think about the future, not just about today," said Shivute.

He gave an assurance that medical centres at Rundu and Katima Mulilo have a continuous water supply, despite cuts to the residents.

He rejected claims that surgery has been stalled because of a shortage of water.

Shivute once again appealed to citizens to understand the costs involved in providing water and that "without money, the water will stop flowing".

He said NamWater was not a profit-driven institution and that the income generated went into funding the supply of water.

Shivute added that it was a misconception to believe that water supply in Namibia was privatised, saying that Government was NamWater's sole shareholder and thus "calls the shots".

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