Reverse decisions or face dissolution Uutoni threatens Karasburg Town Council

The Minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni has directed the Karasburg Town Council to rectify all alleged violations committed by councillors and the acting chief executive officer of the town council by 27 October or face dissolution of the council.

Uutoni said in a letter directed to all councillors on 11 October that council should immediately put an end to the ‘unprocedural’ bank account signatory arrangement and revert such authority back to management. He said councillors should also cancel contracts entered into with new security companies and legal services obtained for council, as these contracts and subsequent expenditures are deemed illegal.

“My office has received information that, as a result of the illegal change of signatory powers, payments exceeding N$900 000 have been made from the council’s bank account. You are cautioned that such payments are deemed to be unauthorised and those who have condoned or signed for and effected them will be held accountable,” Uutoni said.

He noted that, despite efforts and cautions to rectify the alleged irregularities and violations, council continued to show blatant disregard of directives and non-compliance to the law and prescribed administrative procedures.

“Failure by council to demonstrate its full compliance to all directives and any continuing non-compliance will leave me no other option but to invoke section 92 of the Local Authorities Act, 1992 to dissolve the council,” said Uutoni.

On Wednesday the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) instructed all local authority councils governed by the LPM to challenge the constitutionality of ministerial powers in the Local Authorities Act of 1992 and the legality of directives issued by the minister of urban and rural development.

LPM spokesperson Lifazala Simaata said the decision is a resolution taken by the Political Action Committee during their fifth session held on Wednesday due to the threat made by Uutoni to dissolve the council.

LPM operative secretary Dawid Eigub said in a letter issued to the councils on Wednesday, that local authority councils are urged to take action by Thursday to institute legal action. They are also urged to appoint Weder Kauta Hoveka Incorporated to act as their legal representative in the matter.

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