Katima Mulilo land swap for vehicles ‘corrupt’, says MP

National Democratic Party president and member of parliament Martin Lukato has criticised the Katima Mulilo Town Council’s decision to swap land for vehicles, saying it was corrupt.

He says he is in support of urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa’s directive for the council to return about six vehicles, saying the move should be followed with legal action against those implicated.

“It was done without the approval of the minister; therefore, it’s corruption. Furthermore, it’s not allowed by the Local Authority Act. They thought that their abuse of power would not come to light. The land should be returned, and actions should be taken because it’s a very serious matter. Corrupt officials have for far too long gotten away with stealing from the state,” he told The Namibian yesterday.

He said corruption not only exists in Zambezi’s local authority, regional council and village council, but in all local, regional and village authorities countrywide.

“Therefore, honourable Sankwasa should also visit others countrywide and expose them,” he said.

WAITING FOR DIRECTIVE

Meanwhile, the council’s chief executive, Raphael Liswaniso, says the council will not act on the supposed directive for them to return the vehicles they swapped for three plots, saying it is unofficial.

The plots in question are the 31 hectares (about 31 football fields) of plots situated adjacent to the riverbank north-west of the town that were exchanged for two sport utility vehicles, two new quad bikes, three second-hand quad bikes, a survey drone, and two quality laptops.

The exchange was done in 2023 between the council and Risk-Based Solutions CC, owned by Sindila Mwiya, according to the transaction letter dated 16 June 2023, seen by The Namibian.

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.

Sources allege that a plot behind Kamunu Village Complex was exchanged for a pickup, reportedly to a prominent businessman.

The third plot, next to Charity Faith Church, was allegedly traded for a double cab and two sedans to a local doctor.

Liswaniso yesterday told The Namibian that, as it stands, the directive, which was made through the media, is nothing more than a political statement.

He added that if Sankwasa wants them to implement it, then he should outline it through official channels.

“We did not receive any official document from the minister giving us a directive. Therefore, I am not able to comment on the issue or say whether we can act on it. As it stands, this directive has no legal standing,” he said.

Sankwasa also confirmed to The Namibian yesterday that he is yet to make the directive official.

“I am going to give them a formal directive. You will know when I issue it,” he said.

He did not stipulate when he will give them the directive, the terms, or how long the council will have to implement it.

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