Sankwasa’s threats unlawful – Katima mayor

Katima Mulilo mayor John Ntemwa says urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa’s threats to dissolve the council are not lawful.

Ntemwa said this to The Namibian yesterday in response to Sankwasa’s accusations that the council did not implement his directives, hence, he reserves the right to fire or suspend the council.

In a widely circulated letter dated 22 July, addressed to Ntemwa, Sankwasa threatens to either suspend or fire the Katima Mulilo council members for failing to implement his directives to rectify alleged governance and management irregularities at the local authority.

He says they must provide him with factual reasons that are based on governance and prudent financial management before or by today.

However, Ntemwa argued that as per the law, Sankwasa was supposed to constitute a fair committee to investigate the alleged issues, in which the council could be accorded a right to reply.

“Sankwasa cannot just give us two days to respond and even threaten us. He is not above the law. We as a council need to make legal consultations on the issues,” he said.

Ntemwa said Sankwasa must stop overreacting and start handling issues in a professional manner.

“We are not the only local authority that has sold land without ministerial approval. It’s a norm within the local authorities because of the tedious approval process.

Therefore, what we have done does not warrant suspension or being fired,” he said.
Ntemwa said Sankwasa is doing this because he has an agenda to allegedly get rid of all the Masubia people at the council and assign his own people.

“Sankwasa is being pushed by a group of executives in Windhoek,” he said.

Sankwasa’s letter states that his visit in May uncovered several irregular deals, including the well-known land swap for vehicles, computers and quad bikes, which lacked the required ministerial approval under the Local Authorities Act.

Sankwasa’s letter further states that he gave the council a directive to return these vehicles and other goods and get back the land that was exchanged.

Additionally, he instructed that all activities on the disputed land be stopped.
“The directive was, however, not executed or adhered to, and construction activities continued on some plots, such as plot 538,” the letter states.

The letter further highlights that a directive was given that the council should solve a labour matter between them and workers internally to avoid unnecessary financial expenses.

“The labour matter that was supposed to be solved internally without any financial costs incurred by the council has now proceeded to labour arbitration, and approximately N$60

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