Usakos residents scorn Minister

THE battle lines between the Usakos community and the Town Council were redrawn on Thursday when the Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing seemed to ignore pleas for the present councillors to be removed.

The Town Council is dominated by the United Democratic Front (UDF). On the invitation of the Concerned Group of residents – an organisation that last year started demonstrating against alleged corruption in the Council – Minister Joel Kaapanda agreed to meet community representatives.But residents felt Council hijacked the planned meeting when the Minister closeted herself with Council officials first and arrived at the Hakhaseb community hall only two hours later.After his speech, Kaapanda answered only three questions and abruptly closed the meeting – much to the community’s disgust.”This is nonsense, we did not even get around to ask our questions,” some residents shouted as the Minister left the hall.”This is a clear sign Government does not care about the people of Usakos,” said another.One vocal resident, Gotthard Kandume, asked: “What kind of a Minister puts councillors first and not the community? We are living in a jungle.The Independence we fought for with our lives is now keeping us in exile.We were better off under the old regime”.Community activist and leader of the Concerned Group Daniel Stramis could not contain his disappointment: “It was a totally politically motivated meeting.We thought the Minister came here to listen to us.We are not happy and will continue to fight corruption in this town”.When Stramis referred to correspondence he had received from the Minister’s office to confirm the community meeting for 14h30, he was told by Permanent Secretary Erastus Negongo that the Minister had his own programme and had also come to see the Council.”He is only doing his duty and we have to respect our seniors.You go back to your people and inform them to be patient,” Negongo said.Stramis walked out, saying the community delegates were not prepared to meet him if he saw the Council first.When the Minister arrived at the Community Hall at Hakhaseb, he was met by residents carrying posters with slogans.They initially refused to enter the hall but were eventually persuaded to raise their concerns with the Minister.In his address to the Minister at the start of the meeting, Stramis underlined the fact that the Ministry was ignoring allegations of corruption.”We are saying these acts cannot be tolerated since the community of Usakos is the victim of these malicious actions”.The Permanent Secretary had noted earlier in the meeting with Council that an investigation had disclosed that councillors and municipal employees owed Council about N$150 000.Kaapanda replied in a prepared speech: “It is no secret that funds provided for development and maintenance of infrastructure were diverted to other non-developmental affairs of self-enrichment.And the culprits are local councillors”.He commended the community for being vocal in pointing out the improper conduct of their councillors.He said their outcry against mismanagement and corruption had been heard and his Ministry had responded with a ” … robust crash programme of transforming the administrative system”.The Ministry had requested the Walvis Bay and Swakopmund councils to assist officials at Usakos with training in proper administrative procedures.The Minister pointed out at the same time that some Councillors were still hesitant to implement the “rescue measures” and admonished them that the Ministry would ” … not tolerate anyone who stands in its way”.Kaapanda then changed his tune and told the more than 200 residents to support their councillors: “I appeal to you to please trust your Council – they are changing”.On the invitation of the Concerned Group of residents – an organisation that last year started demonstrating against alleged corruption in the Council – Minister Joel Kaapanda agreed to meet community representatives. But residents felt Council hijacked the planned meeting when the Minister closeted herself with Council officials first and arrived at the Hakhaseb community hall only two hours later. After his speech, Kaapanda answered only three questions and abruptly closed the meeting – much to the community’s disgust. “This is nonsense, we did not even get around to ask our questions,” some residents shouted as the Minister left the hall. “This is a clear sign Government does not care about the people of Usakos,” said another. One vocal resident, Gotthard Kandume, asked: “What kind of a Minister puts councillors first and not the community? We are living in a jungle. The Independence we fought for with our lives is now keeping us in exile. We were better off under the old regime”. Community activist and leader of the Concerned Group Daniel Stramis could not contain his disappointment: “It was a totally politically motivated meeting. We thought the Minister came here to listen to us. We are not happy and will continue to fight corruption in this town”. When Stramis referred to correspondence he had received from the Minister’s office to confirm the community meeting for 14h30, he was told by Permanent Secretary Erastus Negongo that the Minister had his own programme and had also come to see the Council. “He is only doing his duty and we have to respect our seniors. You go back to your people and inform them to be patient,” Negongo said. Stramis walked out, saying the community delegates were not prepared to meet him if he saw the Council first. When the Minister arrived at the Community Hall at Hakhaseb, he was met by residents carrying posters with slogans. They initially refused to enter the hall but were eventually persuaded to raise their concerns with the Minister. In his address to the Minister at the start of the meeting, Stramis underlined the fact that the Ministry was ignoring allegations of corruption. “We are saying these acts cannot be tolerated since the community of Usakos is the victim of these malicious actions”. The Permanent Secretary had noted earlier in the meeting with Council that an investigation had disclosed that councillors and municipal employees owed Council about N$150 000. Kaapanda replied in a prepared speech: “It is no secret that funds provided for development and maintenance of infrastructure were diverted to other non-developmental affairs of self-enrichment. And the culprits are local councillors”. He commended the community for being vocal in pointing out the improper conduct of their councillors. He said their outcry against mismanagement and corruption had been heard and his Ministry had responded with a ” … robust crash programme of transforming the administrative system”. The Ministry had requested the Walvis Bay and Swakopmund councils to assist officials at Usakos with training in proper administrative procedures. The Minister pointed out at the same time that some Councillors were still hesitant to implement the “rescue measures” and admonished them that the Ministry would ” … not tolerate anyone who stands in its way”. Kaapanda then changed his tune and told the more than 200 residents to support their councillors: “I appeal to you to please trust your Council – they are changing”.