Tsumeb: Concerned residents under the Tsumeb Aitsama Madan Development Project on Monday submitted a petition to the Tsumeb Municipal Council, calling for greater transparency, accountability, and equitable economic opportunities in local governance.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the petition raised concerns over alleged corruption, questionable payments to auditors, a lack of transparency in tender procedures, and the exclusion of local companies from business opportunities. The group, led by its chairperson, Liezel Nanis, handed over the petition to Tsumeb Deputy Mayor Lisken Claasen, highlighting what it described as systemic issues affecting the community.

Nanis criticized the lack of transparency in tender procedures and called for fair access to municipal contracts for local businesses. Among the demands contained in the petition are the cancellation and re-advertisement of certain tenders to allow for broader participation and to prevent alleged irregularities.

The group also called for full disclosure and justification of funds spent on external audit and verification services, echoing earlier concerns raised by workers over the cost and necessity of outsourcing such functions. It further demanded an immediate halt to the current shortlisting process for the chief executive officer position until greater transparency is ensured, as well as greater inclusion of local companies in tender opportunities to address the exclusion of Tsumeb-based businesses from municipal contracts.

"We do not want the chief executive officer in that office. He was supposed to act for three months, but it has been three years and he is still in office. With the management committee, corruption has been and is still happening," she said.

Receiving the petition, Claasen assured the group that council would consider its contents and respond. "I promise you that we will go through the petition and contact your front-runners so they can convey the message," she said.