The president of the Namibian Association of Local Authority Officials (NALAO), Moses Matyayi, says local authorities cannot thrive in uncertainty and political pressure.
Matyayi, who was speaking at the association's annual general meeting, stressed the need for accountability and transparency.
NALAO's president stated that performance management should be central in evaluating the performance of local authority CEOs and administrators.
He emphasised that appropriate action should follow these evaluations, and if a CEO or administrator is underperforming, they must be addressed fairly.
Matyayi stated that the majority of CEOs work under pressure and that NALAO stands firmly in fighting and upholding good governance principles.
"Whether this is due to political influence or due to undue interference, we believe they pose a threat to a number of issues, including non-renewal of contracts. And as CEOs and administrators, we are threatened; this trend is not only unjust, it's demeaning and degrading, and we may have long-term career-limiting implications."
Matyayi added that if they are not supported and only castigated, they might not make the appropriate change, as it undermines institutional stability.
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa, says local authority leaders are the first line of defence against the challenges of urbanisation and development.
Sankwasa called on local authority administrators to work in harmony with their councillors to bring tangible development to local authorities across the country's 14 regions.
His message was delivered by Deputy Minister Eveline !Nawases-Tayele.
"We must recognise that leadership in the public sector, most particularly in the local authority, is very important and necessary; thus, the success of our nation's development depends on the ability of our leaders, elected and appointed, to work together effectively and to lead with integrity and inclusivity as well as commitment to the greater good of all Namibians regardless of gender and political affiliation."