Martin Endjala
The Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni, has threatened to take action against the continuous defiance of the Local Authorities governing law and un-procedural conduct by the Karasburg Town Council.
Uutoni said that in terms of Article 40 (k) of the Namibian Constitution, and given his previous directives which were ignored, he is again directing the Council to rectify all the violations as pointed out previously by making a representation and providing proof to his office on or before 27 October 2023 and to submit a comprehensive report that they have fully complied.
Failure by the Council to demonstrate its full compliance to all directives and any continuous non-compliance will leave the minister with no other option but to invoke Section 92 of the Local Authorities Act no 23 of 2023.
“As the Minister responsible for the affairs of the Local Authorities in Namibia, I have the duty and responsibility to ensure that all Local Authority Councils are executing their duties and mandates and exercising their powers and performing their duties to strict adherence to the laws and regulations. And where there is noted non-compliance, I am duty bound to take appropriate actions, “ said Uutoni.
In a letter dated 11 October 2023, much to his dismay, the Minister finds himself yet again having to direct the Karasburg Town Council to respect the Local Authorities governing laws.
This comes after his ministry received information about the continuous defiance and un-procedural conduct by the Karasburg Town Council and the failure to rectify Uutoni’s previous directives issued last month.
“I have noticed with grave concerns, that despite the efforts and cautions, Council has not rectified the irregularities and violations pointed out to it and instead Council continues with its blatant disregard of my directives and non-compliance to the law and prescribed administrative procedures,” said Uutoni.
These violations encompass the alleged change of signatory powers over the account of the Council, which resulted in payments exceeding N$900,000 made from the Council account.
As well as the un-procedural appointment of the acting Chief Executive Officer Hansina Isaacks, who allegedly approved and signed the recruitment of nine employees contracts recently.
Meanwhile, both Mayor Maria Veldskoen, the acting CEO Hansima Isaacks and Fransiskus Skeyer, were granted bail of N$1,000 each on 7 October 2023 by the Magistrate’s Court after they were arrested on 3 October 2023 by the Anti-Corruption Commission on charges related to the allegations.
In the meantime, the substantive CEO Nico Titus on Friday told this publication that the Landless People’s Movement Karasburg Leadership has threatened to reopen the case against him in connection with the alleged N$10 million stolen from the Council account in 2021.
While also revealing that despite the trio being released on bail, they continue to defy the Minister’s directives, lamenting that the working environment is no longer conducive.
