Erongo council chair ousted after no-confidence vote

The chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, Benitha Imbamba, was removed from office following a motion of no confidence passed during a special ordinary council meeting on Monday.This was the third such motion tabled against her in less than a year – after surviving two previous attempts in May and July 2024.The motion was brought forward by Walvis Bay urban constituency councillor Deriou Benson. In terms of the Regional Councils Act, a member of the management committee may be removed if the council, by majority, resolves it has no confidence in the individual. The council voted in favour of the motion, resulting in Imbamba’s removal.In accordance with the law, the remaining members of the council’s management committee also resigned, and a process to appoint a new committee is now underway. The council indicated in a press statement issued on Thursday that internal operations remain stable and unaffected during the transition period.Integrity compromised In his written motion, Benson alleged a range of leadership failures by Imbamba, including poor communication, lack of consultation, divisive conduct and failure to provide clear direction to the council. He claimed her leadership style had fractured unity within the council and deteriorated the institution’s integrity.“The council is directionless... the chairperson cannot be trusted with leadership,” he argued, further asserting that under Imbamba’s leadership, “nothing of value can be achieved.”Walvis Bay rural constituency councillor Florian Donatus, also a member of the management committee, confirmed that this third motion was backed by a majority of councillors.“This is not the first time such a motion was brought, but this time, support for it was overwhelming,” Donatus said.He added that the council is now awaiting the appointment of a magistrate by the justice ministry to oversee the swearing-in of new office-bearers, which could take place as soon as Friday or early next week.Unfounded claimsImbamba, who represents the Arandis constituency, responded strongly to the motion, describing it as vague, baseless and politically motivated. In a formal written response dated 14 March, ten days before the council meeting, she argued that Benson’s motion failed to provide specific grounds or legal justification for her removal.“The section used by honourable Benson has no basis in law,” Imbamba said. “Subsection (b) outlines when a chairperson may be removed, and I have contravened none.”She contended that the accusations lacked evidence and amounted to personal attacks rather than substantiated claims.“Benson has not indicated how I have contravened the said sections [of the Code of Conduct]. He is simply throwing bones hoping that a dog will catch it,” she argued. Imbamba defended her record, saying she had never acted in a manner that discredited the council and had always prioritised the public interest.“I have never behaved or conducted myself in a disorderly manner. I have always protected the image of the council at all material times,” she said.She further called on Benson and other councillors to provide proof of the claims made against her.She argued that council decisions are made collectively and not by the chairperson alone.“Although I am the chairperson and at the helm of the council, the successful implementation of policies depends on all of us... I do not operate in isolation,” Imbamba emphasised.The removal comes at a politically sensitive time, with regional and local elections scheduled for later this year. Some observers believe the vote of no confidence may have been influenced by election-year politicking, as councillors position themselves for leadership roles and party considerations gain prominence.“This is not the case,” said Donatus. “This motion did not come suddenly; it’s been coming a long time now.”

Erongo council chair ousted after no-confidence vote

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

Please login to leave a comment

Erongo council chair ousted after no-confidence vote

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

Please login to leave a comment

Login