LPM councillor backs petition demanding audit of Lüderitz Town Council finances, land deals

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) councillor Annemarie Hartzenberg has backed a community petition calling for a forensic audit of Lüderitz Town Council’s finances, land sales and fishing quota proceeds.

This comes after the petition, initiated by a Lüderitz resident, was signed by almost 2 000 people.

The petition demanded a forensic audit of the financial conduct, land sales, and the unauthorised diversion of fishing quota proceeds by the council.

Hartzenberg says the LPM affirms the community’s democratic right to demand accountability from public institutions.

“The LPM unequivocally supports the principle that public resources must be managed in trust for the people, not for political elites or private interest groups,” she says.

She says it is critical to expose and correct the alleged abuse of fishing quota revenues intended for the town’s local economic development.

In her capacity as an elected local authority councillor under the LPM banner, she says she has “demanded full disclosure of fishing quota allocations and the financial records relating to these transactions”.

“. . . submitted motions for financial auditing and writing off of debt, irrevocable historical debt. Also, demand for investigations in the alleged irregularities in the properties, I strongly believe in allegations being investigated and not ignored. And it is on record.”

Hartzenberg therefore urges the ministry to appoint an independent and reputable audit firm to conduct an audit of the town council.

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