The Landless People’s Movement has withdrawn Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi from her position and revoked her representation on the town council with immediate effect.
Swartbooi was elected mayor in December 2025 following the regional council and local authority elections.
The decision is contained in a letter dated 5 June, signed by the party’s operative secretary, Dawid Eigub.
No reasons were provided for her removal.
LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa confirmed the development on Friday, saying the move was in line with the party’s internal processes.
“The decision was aligned with the party’s strategic plan in exercising the deployment and redeployment of talent in order to best achieve party goals,” Simataa said.
In the letter, Eigub cited the Local Authorities Act as the basis for the withdrawal.
“You are withdrawn from your position as mayor and your representation of the party on the Keetmanshoop Town Council is revoked with immediate effect,” the letter states.
Despite the decision, the party expressed appreciation for Swartbooi’s service during her tenure as mayor.
The withdrawal comes just six months after Swartbooi assumed office as the town’s first citizen.
The party has not yet announced who will replace her on the council or as mayor.
