Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa has issued an ultimatum to councillors of the Katima Mulilo Town Council to provide an explanation for alleged governance and financial mismanagement by Friday or face suspension or dismissal.
The demand is contained in a letter from Sankwasa dated 22 July 2025 titled ‘Failure to govern and exercise of the right to reply to governance and management irregularities committed by the Katima Mulilo Town Council.’ The letter details several alleged irregularities discovered during the minister’s visit in May.
Sankwasa in the letter alleged that the town council unlawfully exchanged fixed property, specifically land, for movable properties like vehicles and computers without ministerial approval, which he said violates Section 30 of the Local Authority Act 23 of 1992 as amended. Despite a directive from the minister to return these movable properties to their owners and cease all activities on the affected land, the instruction has not been executed.
Furthermore, Sankwasa also directed the council to resolve a labour relations matter involving 20 staff members internally to avoid “fruitless” financial costs.
However, the dispute has now proceeded to labour arbitration, costing the council N$60,000 in legal fees to defend itself.
Sankwasa noted in the letter that this expenditure would have been preventable if his directive had been executed.
The minister also expressed frustration over the council’s reaction to his intervention, writing, “What followed my directive was a media conference by the mayor to degrade me and allege political interference in administration, without properly understanding that my directive was aimed at an internal solution without any financial costs.”
Sankwasa said an internal audit has independently established non-compliance with the provisions of enabling laws by the council.
Contacted for comment, Katima Mulilo Mayor John Ntemwa acknowledged receipt of the letter and said he needs more time to thoroughly study the letter before he can provide a response.