Martin Endjala
Municipal councillors of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) have returned to work and have taken over the administration of the Karasburg Town Council on Monday.
Mayor Maria Veldskoen, Gregorius Ruhl, Josef Witbooi, and Fransiskus Skeyer, were suspended earlier this year.
Veldskoen confirmed their return to the office with the Windhoek Observer, citing the recent court order that found the suspension of the entire Karasburg council by Erastus Uutoni, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development to be illegal.
“We did not encounter any hostility. It was a smooth transition so far and now we must work hard to bring the much-needed services to the community,” said Veldskoen.
The four LPM councillors were suspended along with Nesmus Mupiya of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Elia Hauwanga and Frieda Amutenya of Swapo.
The suspension followed the council’s decision to change banking signatory powers.
Uutoni suspended them for making illegal appointments, misusing the council’s vehicle assigned to Veldskoen, and involving councillors in tender awarding.
At the time, Uutoni deemed the decisions not in compliance with applicable laws and prescribed administrative processes.
He demanded that the councillors reverse these decisions.
Uutoni appointed former Aroab Village Council chief executive officer, Elize Laubscher to manage the town’s affairs while the councillors were on suspension.
The court’s decision, delivered last week, effectively reinstates the council members, who had been removed from office earlier this year.
Swapo’s Amutenya said they did not return to office because they had not received the green light from the ministry, despite the court order.
“We are aware of the court ruling, but our LPM colleagues decided to return and get rid of the administrative team that was appointed by the ministry. We are still waiting. We have sent a letter to request the way forward and we will act accordingly as per the response,” she said.
The urban ministry’s executive director, Daniel Nghidinua said that the ministry’s legal team was studying the ruling and that it would announce itself on the matter at an appropriate time.
”Please revert to the e-Justice website. The situation at the Karasburg Town Council since 2 October, is a result of a default court judgement in favour of the suspended councillors,” he said.
Nghidinua added that the ministry has consulted its attorneys and the Office of the Attorney General about possibly appealing against the judgement.
