Ester Mbathera
The three Swapo councillors from the Walvis Bay municipality have been reinstated after a month-long suspension.
Albertina Nkoshi, Paulus Kauhondamua, and Ephraim Shozi were suspended with full allowances for 30 days at the beginning of September.
Walvis Bay mayor, Trevino Forbes confirmed on Tuesday that the councillors are now allowed to return to resume their work with the town council.
“They cannot stay on suspension longer than 30 days as per the standing rules of order. We expect them to attend the next council meeting, and they have received all the documents and the agenda for the meeting,” Forbes said.
The mayor, however, warned that any further misconduct during council meetings would not be tolerated.
“People must behave,” Forbes added.
The councillors were suspended for contravening the town council’s standing rules of order, with additional accusations of breaching the code of conduct.
The suspension followed a complaint lodged by the Joint Walvis Bay Residents Association (JWBRA) on 17 July.
The grievance was raised after disruptive incidents during an ordinary council meeting on 16 July, which included accusations of racist remarks, threats, and disrespect towards the chairperson.
Councillor Ronald Bramwell, who lodged the grievance also cited issues related to disrespect, the flouting of rules, and the general disruption of the meeting.
Councillor Nkoshi confirmed that they are returning to office and have received the minutes and agenda for the upcoming council meeting.
“We have many questions, especially about the decisions made in our absence. We are going to ask about all those decisions that were taken. He is the one who is unruly,” Nkoshi said, referring to the mayor.
She also added that chief executive officer Victoria Kapembe will have to provide explanations.
“We are going to give her the benefit of the doubt. She has given us everything that was done in our absence, but she too has to explain,” Nkoshi stated.
