Renthia Kaimbi
The Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) has lodged a formal complaint with urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, accusing the Walvis Bay Municipal Council of interfering in the recruitment process for a senior position.
In a letter dated 24 October 2025, Napwu general secretary Petrus Nevonga alleged serious irregularities in the hiring process for the general manager of human resources and corporate communication services.
The union claims the council unlawfully altered an approved shortlist and made improper financial payments to candidates.
Documents seen by the Windhoek Observer show that a shortlisting committee met on 25 July 2025 and approved four candidates for interviews, Francina Mwandingi, Sylvia Schubert, Matias Lukas and Elizabeth Swarts.
The committee members were Benjamin Nangolo from Erongo Red, Marinda Bahr from Swakopmund Municipality, Absalom Liyambo and Asser Tjikuniva as the union observers.
According to the minutes, the committee reviewed each applicant’s qualifications based on the advertised requirements, which included a degree in public administration, human resources management or public relations, plus eight years of experience.
Napwu alleges that after the committee concluded its work, the shortlist was secretly changed.
“The name of Elizabeth Swarts was removed, and the names of Jafet Nelongo and Rosina Muatunga were added to the list without the knowledge, consent, or ratification of the shortlisting committee,” the union wrote.
The union said the change violates administrative due process, breaches the council’s recruitment regulations and goes against Article 18 of the Namibian Constitution, which upholds fairness and reasonableness in administrative actions.
Napwu further alleges that some candidates were paid subsistence and travel allowances, which are prohibited under Rule 33 of the Recruitment Regulations.
Payment records show Lukas received N$10 480 and Schubert N$8 795.
The union described these payments as “irregular, unethical and constituting financial impropriety.”
“Honourable minister, the recruitment regulations must be adhered to in their totality. Any deviation therefrom renders the process null, void, and susceptible to judicial review for procedural unfairness and ultra vires administrative action,” Nevonga stated.
Instead of defending the original shortlist, the council, through chief executive officer Victoria Kapenda, opted to start a new shortlisting process scheduled for 27 October 2025.
Napwu said the move was a deliberate attempt to legitimise an illegal process.
“Such actions undermine the principles of transparency, equity, and accountability that should govern all public recruitment processes,” the union stated.
The Windhoek Observer obtained a letter dated 22 October 2025, signed by Kapenda, inviting Napwu to send a shop steward to observe the new shortlisting process, an invitation the union rejected as illegitimate.
Napwu asked Sankwasa to stop the new process, direct the council to proceed with the valid shortlist approved on 25 July 2025, and ensure compliance with the Recruitment Regulations, including Rule 33.
“Napwu therefore appeals for your immediate intervention to restore legality, fairness, and transparency in this recruitment process and to uphold the integrity of local authority governance,” Nevonga wrote.
Napwu’s western regional coordinator, Richard Kayimbi, said they were concerned that the council deviated from the initial process. He confirmed that they formally requested Sankwasa to intervene.
“Therefore, as a union, we are condemning the second shortlisting committee and process. We are advising the council, through the accounting officer, to stop the process and stick to the previously recommended shortlist of 25 July 2025,” Kayimbi said.
When contacted for comment, Kapenda said, “I suggest that you get information from your sources.”
