Bukalo: The Bukalo Swapo Party branch executive committee has moved to pass a vote of no confidence in the chairperson of the Bukalo Village Council, Simataa Mubonda, following allegations of failing to campaign and collaborating with opposition parties.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Bukalo Swapo branch executive committee coordinator, Chuma Mudabeti, formally requested the execution of the resolution in a letter dated 30 November 2025 and addressed to the Katima Rural Swapo District Executive. The Bukalo branch executive members voted to withdraw Mubonda from the village council for several reasons, chief among them being his alleged failure to campaign during the recent Regional Councils and Local Authorities Elections.
'Mubonda stayed away from door-door campaigns and only showed up at the mini-rally held on 22 November 2025,' the letter stated.
It further noted that as village council chairperson, Mubonda should have been at the forefront of the campaigns. Additional allegations include that Mubonda failed to engage voters, organise community meetings, and report on developments to the District Swapo Party Branch Executive, alongside accusations that he collaborated with opposition party members, which allegedly helped him secure the chairperson position in 2020. Mudabeti, Mubonda, and Agnes Simasiku top Swapo's Bukalo Village Council list following the recent elections.
Contacted for comment, Mubonda however rubbished the claims, stating that those seeking his removal were individuals who failed to make the cut in the election process. 'I have a proven track record and people should understand politics... This is not the right tone for incoming councillors,' Mubonda said.
Kabanga Wamunyima, the Katima Rural Swapo District Coordinator, said he was yet to receive the official letter. Wamunyima stressed that any grievances must first be addressed through official party structures before a withdrawal or vote of no confidence is effected. He defended the chairperson, noting Mubonda has a clean record and was re-elected to serve the people of Bukalo on the Swapo ticket.
Swapo won three seats after garnering 254 of the 380 votes cast in the Bukalo local authority elections. The National Democratic Party secured one seat with 77 votes, represented by Sitali Kabende. The Popular Democratic Movement received 28 votes but secured a seat, represented by Lawrence Mukena, from surplus votes.