Allexer Namundjebo
Windhoek activist Sem David has called on the City of Windhoek and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to release full details of Windhoek mayor Sackarias Uunona’s trip to the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan.
David said residents were not informed in advance about the trip or its purpose.
“Residents were never informed that he would be travelling, nor were we told the purpose of the trip,” he said.
He said he only became aware of the visit through a Facebook post.
David questioned why the municipality sent the mayor instead of technical officials from departments such as housing, planning and economic development if the forum focused on urban policy matters.
“From where I stand, it looks more like a political or feel-good trip, a chance to get some fresh air abroad at the cost of ratepayers,” David said.
He called on the municipality and the ministry to disclose the approval details, total cost of the trip, programme and expected outcomes.
“What direct, practical benefits will WUF bring to our city? Until those are clearly communicated, it is difficult to say his presence contributes meaningfully to Windhoek’s development,” he said.
David also urged urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa to apply the same standards to Swapo-led councils that he applied to opposition-led councils in the past.
Social media commentator Nghipudilo yaShiindi also raised concerns about the trip and questioned whether the minister approved it.
“Hon Sankwasa had a problem with travelling when local authorities were under the opposition parties’ leadership,” she said.
She alleged that Swapo-led local authorities are now travelling without ministerial approval.
“I know local authorities are a headache to you, but it’s just way too early, my senior. Maintain the same energy and tell us if you approved this trip, Comrade Sankwasa,” YaShiindi said.
Windhoek councillor Austin Kwenani responded by referring to an earlier case in the Zambezi region where councillors repaid N$136 000 in unauthorised subsistence and travel allowances after a trip to Botswana and Zambia was rejected by the minister.
Kwenani said all the councillors involved in that case were from Swapo.
Questions sent to Sankwasa on whether he approved the Baku trip had not been answered by the time of publication.
Sankwasa previously told The Namibian that all travel by councillors must provide clear value to the state.
“If you travel abroad, what are you going to learn and bring back? Councillors don’t even provide reports,” he had said.
Uunona did not respond to questions sent last week. He later questioned the motives behind the allegations but did not answer follow-up questions sent through WhatsApp.
