Katima mulilo: Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, officially handed over letters removing the Katima Mulilo town councillors from office on Wednesday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Sankwasa announced at a media briefing that under Section 92 (2) of the Local Authorities Act of 1992, his office will assume control of the daily operations of the town council. The town’s chief executive officer, Raphael Liswaniso, is now required to report directly to the minister’s office. Sankwasa plans to appoint an administrator who will oversee the council on his behalf.

Sankwasa elaborated that the Act allows him to either be in charge personally or appoint a representative to work directly under his direction, as the representative acts on behalf of his office. He emphasized that it is impractical for him to be in Katima Mulilo daily to make operational decisions.

The minister expressed that the decision was necessitated by the council’s repeated disregard for his directives. Although not all councillors were involved in the ‘irregularities’ and ‘unlawful decisions,’ the minister explained that the entire council needed to be removed. This was due to the fact that by taking an oath before a magistrate, the councillors formed a unified body, making any resolution a collective responsibility.

Sankwasa also criticized the IPC for condemning his decision earlier in the week. He remarked that he was uncertain what satisfies the party when issues persist in Katima Mulilo and questioned whether parties monitor their representatives. He clarified his position, stating, ‘I’m not a party functionary, I’m a government functionary, therefore whatever happens to the parties, the parties have their principals.’