Allexer Namundjebo
Zambezi regional leadership says they are unaware of the directive by urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa dissolving the Katima Mulilo Town Council.
Katima Mulilo Town Council chief executive officer Raphael Liswaniso said he had not received any official communication.
“As far as I am concerned, I did not receive anything. No official communication to that effect,” he told Windhoek Observer.
Liswaniso explained that Sankwasa had invited councillors and staff to meetings this week, including one with the community on Thursday.
“He sent us invitations to several meetings. There is also an invitation to meet staff management, and he will later meet the community on Thursday,” he said, noting there was no indication from the minister that the council was dissolved.
Although Sankwasa did not respond to questions sent by the Windhoek Observer, a government gazette published on 15 August announced the removal of all council members under government notice No. 194.
In the notice, Sankwasa cited section 92(2) of the Local Authorities Act of 1992 and declared that all powers, duties, and functions of the council now vest in his office.
“All the members of the council are removed from office, with effect from the date of publication of this notice in the Gazette,” the statement reads.
Zambezi governor Dorothy Kabula told the Windhoek Observer she had no knowledge of the decision.
“I am also not aware that the council has been dissolved,” she said, adding she could not comment as she is a newly appointed governor.
Three weeks earlier, Sankwasa issued an ultimatum to councillors to explain allegations of governance and financial mismanagement by Friday or face suspension or dismissal.
Last week, the council defied the minister’s order to stop using RedForce Debt Management, arguing the directive had no legal standing and violated procurement laws.
This is despite residents of Katima Mulilo having staged several protests demanding the termination of RedForce services.
Sankwasa earlier this month instructed all local authorities to cut ties with RedForce and avoid new agreements with the company.
Political analyst Sakaria Johannes said the dissolution was expected.
“This also shows how Sankwasa is serious about his work. We come from a culture where people, especially government officials, have not been serious about their responsibilities,” he said.
Johannes added that the move demonstrates how the minister is exercising the powers vested in his office.
The council has been embroiled in controversy for quite a while now.
In May, Sankwasa accused councillors of selling public land without ministerial approval and ordered the return of three luxury vehicles allegedly linked to a questionable deal.
In the same month, the Windhoek Observer reported that the council had exchanged 31 hectares of land for two vehicles with Windhoek-based Risk-Based Solutions CC, owned by Dr Sindila Mwiya.
A letter dated 15 June 2023 from Liswaniso confirmed the transaction. During a visit that same month, Sankwasa ordered the return of the vehicles, saying land should not be traded for movable property, as land gains value while vehicles depreciate.
Moreover, councillors, including mayor John Ntemwa, rejected the allegations, accusing Sankwasa of tribalism, political interference, and abuse of office.
They claimed his actions were meant to destabilise the council ahead of local authority elections and linked them to past labour disputes he lost while serving as a consultant against the council.
Last month, over 1 000 residents, led by youth, business owners, and informal settlers, marched to the council offices to deliver a petition against corruption.
The petition, which accused the council of looting municipal land and demanded transparency and accountability.
Sankwasa is expected to address the Katima Mulilo business community and residents this week.
