Martin Endjala
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) have approached law firm Weder, Kauta and Hoveka to help the party challenge the constitutionality of ministerial powers in the Local Authorities Act of 1992 and the legality of directives issued by the minister to local authorities.
The party’s Operative Secretary Dawid Eigub, yesterday gave directives to all local authorities under the leadership of LPM to challenge the constitutionality of ministerial powers in the Local Authorities Act with immediate effect.
“All local authority councils governed by the Landless People’s Movement are advised and directed to challenge the constitutionality of ministerial powers in the Local Authorities Act of 1992 and the legality of directives issued by the minister to Local Authorities.
Local authorities are therefore urged to take the following actions immediately by Thursday 19 October 2023: That councils resolve to institute a legal challenge, in the court of law, on the constitutionality of ministerial powers in the Local Authorities Act of 1992 and the legality of directives issued by the minister to Local Authorities.
That by virtue of the nature and significance of the case, councils resolve to appoint Weder, Kauta and Hoveka incorporated to act as the legal representative in this matter,” he directed.
He then added that all local authorities are expected to adhere to and swiftly implement the directive without any material deviation.
The party has been in power tussles with the Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni over alleged maladministration activities at Karasburg Town Council, which is dominated by LPM councillors.
Uutoni accused the Town Council mayor Maria Veldskoen, Management Committee member Fransiskus Skeyer and Acting Chief Executive Officer Hansina Isaacks of changing signatory powers to the council bank accounts, the alleged un-procedural appointment of Acting CEO among other issues the minister raised in recent months.
Uutoni directed the councillors to reverse their decisions on numerous occasions, they, however, defied his directives.
The trio were then arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission recently on corruption charges, but they were released on bail of N$ 10 000 each after spending more than three days behind bars.
LPM leader Bernadus Swartbooi has recently threatened to su e Uutoni and the ACC over what he termed “malicious prosecution” of the two councillors and the Acting CEO.
