Minister Sankwasa intervenes amid Okahandja service delivery outcry
“I am here to listen to facts, not opinions”-— Minister James Sankwasa
Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa met with the Okahandja Town Council on Monday following mounting public frustration over poor service delivery, alleged unfair land allocation and the involvement of RedForce debt collectors.
The minister’s visit was prompted by a letter from community activist Sethy Gariseb, who called for the dissolution of the Okahandja Town Council, citing “poor service delivery and lack of transparency”.
After a closed-door meeting with councillors, Sankwasa invited residents to the Okahandja Municipality Town Hall for them to share their concerns directly.
Reading from the activist’s letter, he highlighted issues such as halted land surveying processes, alleged relocations without proper consultation and a lack of accountability in service provision.
“I am here to listen to facts, not opinions. Some residents say people are brought from other areas while others are removed under the guise of development. I want to hear the facts,” he said
RedForce controversy
Addressing the contentious RedForce contract, Sankwasa said the arrangement had caused widespread frustration.
“As far as the media is concerned, I gave a directive that the RedForce contract must not be renewed. The residents are suffering under RedForce. I was a victim myself through my daughter,” he said.
He further stressed that it is unlawful for water or electricity to be disconnected due to non-payment.
He criticised councillors who defended the company, accusing them of acting against the public interest.
“You cannot defend the interests of a company. The people of this country elected you to serve them, not private entities,” he said firmly.
Delayed land allocation
On the issue of delayed land allocations, Okahandja Mayor Beatrice Kotungondo explained that illegal land grabbing and the theft of pegs had slowed down the process. Minister Sankwasa expressed concern over the lengthy delays.
“You cannot have a person who applied in 2017 and is still waiting in 2025. By the time the ministry approves, the person might be dead,” Sankwasa said, while vowing to investigate the matter.
He directed municipal officials and councillors to prioritise applicants who followed proper procedures over “land grabbers”.
“Remove the land grabbers and replace them with people that have applied in a proper manner,” he instructed.
Cenored’s authority on power supply
Sankwasa said that only Cenored is legally authorised to disconnect electricity supplies.
“Electricity belongs to Cenored, not the municipality. RedForce has no authority to cut it off. We are not running a banana republic here,” he warned.
Deputy urban minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele echoed Sankwasa\'s sentiments, emphasising that residents want better service and must receive it.
The meeting concluded with Sankwasa urging both the council and residents to “engage through proper governance channels” and pledging to “get to the bottom of the inefficiencies” within the system.
“People of Namibia want service. No political party was elected to oppress the people, but to deliver development and fairness,” he said”
The minister’s visit was prompted by a letter from community activist Sethy Gariseb, who called for the dissolution of the Okahandja Town Council, citing “poor service delivery and lack of transparency”.
After a closed-door meeting with councillors, Sankwasa invited residents to the Okahandja Municipality Town Hall for them to share their concerns directly.
Reading from the activist’s letter, he highlighted issues such as halted land surveying processes, alleged relocations without proper consultation and a lack of accountability in service provision.
“I am here to listen to facts, not opinions. Some residents say people are brought from other areas while others are removed under the guise of development. I want to hear the facts,” he said
RedForce controversy
Addressing the contentious RedForce contract, Sankwasa said the arrangement had caused widespread frustration.
“As far as the media is concerned, I gave a directive that the RedForce contract must not be renewed. The residents are suffering under RedForce. I was a victim myself through my daughter,” he said.
He further stressed that it is unlawful for water or electricity to be disconnected due to non-payment.
He criticised councillors who defended the company, accusing them of acting against the public interest.
“You cannot defend the interests of a company. The people of this country elected you to serve them, not private entities,” he said firmly.
Delayed land allocation
On the issue of delayed land allocations, Okahandja Mayor Beatrice Kotungondo explained that illegal land grabbing and the theft of pegs had slowed down the process. Minister Sankwasa expressed concern over the lengthy delays.
“You cannot have a person who applied in 2017 and is still waiting in 2025. By the time the ministry approves, the person might be dead,” Sankwasa said, while vowing to investigate the matter.
He directed municipal officials and councillors to prioritise applicants who followed proper procedures over “land grabbers”.
“Remove the land grabbers and replace them with people that have applied in a proper manner,” he instructed.
Cenored’s authority on power supply
Sankwasa said that only Cenored is legally authorised to disconnect electricity supplies.
“Electricity belongs to Cenored, not the municipality. RedForce has no authority to cut it off. We are not running a banana republic here,” he warned.
Deputy urban minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele echoed Sankwasa\'s sentiments, emphasising that residents want better service and must receive it.
The meeting concluded with Sankwasa urging both the council and residents to “engage through proper governance channels” and pledging to “get to the bottom of the inefficiencies” within the system.
“People of Namibia want service. No political party was elected to oppress the people, but to deliver development and fairness,” he said”
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