The Independent Patriots For Change (IPC) has condemned urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa’s appointment of corruption-convicted Marina Kandumbu as the administrator for the Katima Mulilo Town Council.
Sankwasa on Thursday officially announced that he appointed former parliamentarian Kandumbu as the administrator on his behalf at the town council, which he dissolved last month.
Kandumbu has been appointed effective 1 September until the new town council will be elected during the upcoming regional and local authority elections.
In a statement on Friday, IPC states that the appointment is a contradiction of Sankwasa’s mission to combat corruption; hence, he should reverse the appointment.
IPC reasons that Sankwasa dissolved the council for allegations of administrative and financial irregularities.
“However, his subsequent action of appointing an individual with a known history of corruption sends a deeply disturbing and hypocritical message to the Namibian people. Kandumbu was convicted on multiple counts of corruption in 2014 for charges related to the illegal leasing of a government-subsidised house. While the law may have allowed her to escape a custodial sentence, her conviction stands as a stain on her record and a clear indicator that she is unfit to hold a position of public trust, especially one where she is tasked with cleaning up a mess allegedly caused by corruption,” the statement says.
IPC’s statement further notes that the appointment of a corruption-convicted administrator not only undermines good governance but also raises serious questions about the sincerity of the Swapo-led government’s anti-corruption rhetoric.
“The appointment of Kandumbu is a slap in the face to every Namibian citizen who believes in a clean and accountable government,” the statement saya.
IPC says Sankwasa should reverse the questionable appointment and replace Kandumbu with someone who has impeccable character and integrity to lead the Katima Mulilo Town Council.
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