Renthia Kaimbi
The municipality of Okahandja is in an administrative deadlock, as the swearing-in of its newly elected council has been delayed due to the unavailability of the local magistrate.
The delay has frozen all municipal decision-making, leaving the town without a mayor or a legally constituted management committee.
Outgoing mayor Beatrice Katungondo said the council wrote to the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court on 10 November to schedule the ceremony.
Although the law requires councillors to be sworn in seven days after elections, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa postponed all swearing-in ceremonies from 3 December to 5 December 2025.
In a letter dated 4 December, senior magistrate Auguste Simon explained that she could not preside over the ceremony due to a full court schedule.
As the district’s only magistrate, she said he was occupied with criminal cases, civil matters, domestic violence hearings, maintenance disputes and marriage ceremonies set for 5 December.
Her workload was further affected by an upcoming session at the Hochveld periodical court and the sick leave of a key administrative officer expected to return only on Thursday.
“The invitation is, however, of short notice, as I am the only magistrate in the district, and I have to dispose of all the matters appearing tomorrow (5 December). My proposal is to try and make arrangements with the head of station next week as to when the swearing-in councillors ceremony can be held. He is, however, currently on sick leave and will only be in office on 11 December 2025,” Simon wrote.
Katungondo said the situation leaves Okahandja without any authority to act.
“Even if the town burns down now, what happens? Is it me that is going to be called as the former mayor, or who is going to take charge if anything happens?” she asked.
Okahandja chief executive officer Alphons Tjitombo said the council has no choice but to wait for the magistrate.
“There is a mismatch because the magistrate is not answerable to me. If they respond in such a way, you just take their response rather than me responding on their behalf,” he said.
The delay comes after a recent “go-slow” by magistrates seeking improved housing and transport allowances.
Residents of Okahandja have expressed growing frustration, with some questioning why other towns completed their swearing-in ceremonies while Okahandja remains stalled.
Okahandja resident Ronnie Hoaeb said the situation reflects ongoing problems in the town and urged authorities to resolve the matter quickly.
