The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has rejected Oshakati Town Council’s request for a 13% salary increment for its employees.
The ministry reportedly declined the request on the grounds that council employees had already received a 5% salary increase during the 2025/26 financial year.
This was disclosed by Oshakati Town Council management committee chairperson Hofeni Mutota during a council meeting on Wednesday.
According to a council document, the 13% increase had been requested partly to address housing-related benefits that the council says have been paid to employees since 2017.
“Inter alia, the ministry did not approve the requested 13% salary increment aimed to address the unauthorised housing allowance of 22% and housing subsidy of 45%,” the document states.
The document further records that the ministry indicated that council employees had already received a 5% salary increase during the 2025/26 financial year.
The council is now seeking legal advice on the implications of potentially discontinuing the 22% housing allowance and 45% housing subsidy.
Mutota told the council meeting that the council would consult its lawyers before taking any decision to discontinue the benefits, which employees have allegedly received since 2017.
