The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has spoken out against the removal of the Katima Mulilo Town Council, saying the decision by the minister goes against the Constitution.

In a statement, the IPC said the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, acted outside of the law when he dissolved the council. 

The party argued that since the people chose the councillors, no minister should have the authority to remove them without a valid reason.

The IPC warned that the decision takes away the rights of voters and sets a bad example for how local government is run. 

The party said if councillors had done anything wrong, the matter should have been investigated through proper channels, such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, rather than unilaterally dissolving the whole council.

The IPC suggested the minister's actions amount to political tactics ahead of the Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections later this year.

The minister fired the council for failing to adhere to his instructions to return the vehicles, laptops and quad bikes, among other things, that they took in exchange for council land. The minister said the required ministerial approval was not granted for the deals, and the council was ordered to reverse them, which was ignored.