The Katima Mulilo Town Council is finding itself in hot water after it emerged that the municipality exchanged land for vehicles, quad bikes, and equipment with environmental assessment practitioner Sindila Mwiya.
The exchange includes two SUV vehicles, two new quad bikes, three second-hand quad bikes, a survey drone, and two quality laptops.
Mwiya, through his company, would cover all legal and administrative costs associated with the land purchase, including the servicing, transfer costs, zoning, subdivisions, and environmental impact assessments.
When approached for a comment yesterday, he said: “Go and ask for a comment from the council. Don’t waste my time. Thank you.”
The exchange was done in 2023 between the council and Risk-Based Solution (RBS) CC, owned by Mwiya, according to a transaction letter dated 16 June 2023, which The Namibian has seen.
On Friday, minister of urban and rural and development James Sankwasa visited the plots in question, located along the riverbank north-west of the town.
He was accompanied by Katima chief executive Raphael Liswaniso and local authority councillors Beritha Sitali, Lister Shamalaza, and Christina Simanga.
‘GIVE BACK THE VEHICLES’
Sankwasa ordered the council to return the vehicles they received in exchange for three plots.
“You don’t exchange land for a vehicle. A vehicle depreciates, and land appreciates. Therefore, there can never be transactional correctness there. The act is very clear. You don’t expropriate land without ministerial approval,” he said.
Sankwasa did not indicate how long he was giving the council to return the vehicles and take back the plots.
During the visit, he requested details on the size and value of each plot, and what was received in return.
The councillors were unable to provide answers on this.
Sitali said they would submit a report on the matter at a later stage.
Sources claim a plot behind Kamunu Village Complex was exchanged for a Mahindra pickup, reportedly with a prominent businessman.
The third plot, next to Charity Faith Church, was allegedly traded for a Mahindra double cab and two sedans to a local doctor.
It is unclear whether the vehicles were officially registered as council property or handed over to individuals.
Liswaniso, when approached for comment, last week said: “I will only be able to comment on Monday; I need to understand what it is all about.”
Katima Mulilo Urban constituency councillor Kennedy Simasiku declined to comment on the matter.
“Unfortunately, I would not be in a position to comment because I still need to establish the facts on the whole issue by engaging the mayor and councillors first,” he said.
Zambezi Development Association chairperson Blessing Maanda has criticised the council’s decision.
NO SUPPORT FOR BARTERING
“We are not supporting the bartering system that was done. The council could have made more money selling the plots than this exchange,” he says.
Maanda says the value of the plots should be made public.
“I am failing to understand how the council could not sell the plots and buy the cars themselves. The council should clarify how these deals will benefit the community. What kind of development will be coming on this land?”
Maanda has also questioned the legal basis of the exchange.
“I looked up the Local Authorities Act, and it does not allow such a thing. Does it now mean everyone who needs land should buy a car and exchange it for land?”
He has further raised concerns over the payment method.
“If these cars were not bought with cash, the council will be in a lot of trouble, because what if these people default and the cars are repossessed?”
He says the association understands the council faces transport and financial challenges, “but this was not the way to go about it”.
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