The Erongo Regional Council is refusing to reinstate Arandis Constituency councillor, Benitha Imbamba, as Chairperson, despite a High Court order.

The Council held a special meeting at Swakopmund.

The meeting was called to decide on the verdict by the High Court to reinstate Councillor Benitha Imbamba after she was removed from her position as Chairperson. 

This removal followed a motion of a vote of no confidence, tabled in March by Walvis Bay Urban councillor Deriou Benson, citing a lack of leadership and vision. 

Daures Constituency Councillor Kennedy !Haoseb, speaking during the meeting, stressed that making a decision on a matter that he was not informed about is unfair and the council should have been more transparent in the way they handled the matter.

"We live in a very democratic country where you can actually appeal even up to the Supreme Court, whatever the court's findings are you can appeal up to the Supreme Court," said !Haoseb.

His reaction followed the High Court ruling, which declared the vote of no confidence against Imbamba unlawful, unfair, and invalid. 

The letter orders her reinstatement as Chairperson along with her employment benefits and remuneration package, which includes back pay from the date she was accused until the date of the execution of the court order.

!Haoseb argued that while he does not have a problem with Imbamba's reinstatement, the regional council should have been given a chance to defend themselves in court, appealing the motion on that point.

"I don't have a problem with reinstating the former chairperson. "I don't have a problem, but we must understand one thing: we are an institution, a government institution that has not been represented in court."

Karirib Councillor, Melania Ndjago, also speaking at the meeting, opposed the motion, voicing her concerns with regard to defying the high court order.

"They can decide the way forward, but now, we are having an order; she must be reinstated. Whatever the council is going to decides about the way forward, the court order stands. She must get back her chair; that is my main concern or are we saying we are in contempt of the High Court order?" she questioned.

Imbamba informed the council that she had considered the request to cover her legal costs for the case she won. 

Imbamba was elected in 2022, replacing IPC's Ciske Howard-Smith, who was recalled by her party.

Members of the Erongo Regional Council outvoted the High Court ruling 4-2, with Florian Donatus still retaining the Chairperson position.