Mensah accepts post

A SWAPO representative in the Mariental Town Council, who was nominated as Deputy Mayor two weeks ago but refused to accept the position at the last minute, was given an ultimatum to accept or face expulsion from the Council.

The Namibian was informed that Swapo Hardap Regional Co-ordinator Nico Mungenga sent Wilhelm Mensah a letter ordering him to serve alongside Mayor Priscilla Beukes. Mensah was apparently given two or three days to toe the party line.The Namibian was told that Mensah accepted the Deputy Mayor position on condition that the Swapo regional executive investigate allegations of corruption against some councillors.On Tuesday, Beukes confirmed that Mensah had accepted the position, but declined to comment.Attempts to contact Mungenga and Mensah were unsuccessful.Mensah is expected to be sworn in due course.It is speculated that Mensah refused to serve alongside Beukes because he wanted to remain a member of the management council.Lukas Katuanene (Swapo), Abel Kaifanua (Swapo), Annamarie Gorases (Swapo) and Marthinus Kotze (CoD) serve as management committee members.Josef Swartbooi (DTA) is an ordinary Council member.Mensah was apparently given two or three days to toe the party line.The Namibian was told that Mensah accepted the Deputy Mayor position on condition that the Swapo regional executive investigate allegations of corruption against some councillors.On Tuesday, Beukes confirmed that Mensah had accepted the position, but declined to comment.Attempts to contact Mungenga and Mensah were unsuccessful.Mensah is expected to be sworn in due course. It is speculated that Mensah refused to serve alongside Beukes because he wanted to remain a member of the management council.Lukas Katuanene (Swapo), Abel Kaifanua (Swapo), Annamarie Gorases (Swapo) and Marthinus Kotze (CoD) serve as management committee members.Josef Swartbooi (DTA) is an ordinary Council member.