The Minister of Urban and Rural Development has warned regional and local authority councillors to refrain from corruption, mismanagement, and incompetence.
 
James Sankwasa says poor governance has crippled service delivery and warned that those responsible will be held personally accountable.
 
Deputy Minister Evelyn Nawases-Taeyele delivered Sankwasa's remarks at induction training for newly elected village, town, municipal, and regional councillors at Swakopmund.
 
The minister stated that he found many instances of corruption, mismanagement of finances and land, and other operational irregularities within the first few months of taking office.
 
“Regional and local authorities have become a haven of personal enrichment and nepotistic ambitions, at times in the name of political affiliation, regionalism, and tribalism. Budgetary sums of money that have been transferred by the central government to these sub-national governments for infrastructure and other development projects end up being used for traveling and subsistence allowances. In some instances, it is an open fraud case that is being committed.”
 
Sankwasa noted that, in some instances, he had disapproved unnecessary travel, only to realise later that his directives were simply ignored by councillors, whether for political reasons or quick money.
 
“Disregarding my directive based on law and regulations is a slap in my face. And putting a knife to your own throat, as the receipt of such unauthorised money will definitely be recovered from you in whatever form or manner as per the enabling laws you undertook to uphold when you took the oath to assume duties as councilors.”
 
Sankwasa also raised concern over unfair recruitment practices, saying unqualified individuals are often appointed based on political or family ties, weakening governance at all levels.
 
“Good governance is not a favour. It is a duty. Service delivery is not an aspiration; it is a contract.”
 
The minister pledged strict oversight and warned that officials who causes financial losses will be forced to compensate the state.