Keetmanshoop, Okahandja councils hit back at AG report claims

Leaders of the Keetmanshoop and Okahandja municipal councils have pushed back against recent media reports based on the Auditor General’s findings, and accused previous administrations of financial mismanagement and calling for context and accountability.In Keetmanshoop, Mayor Annelize Knouwds and Management Committee Chairperson Easter Isaaks rejected reports that the municipality incurred N$77 million in losses over the past three years.“These statements, unfortunately, misrepresent the financial facts,” Knouwds said. “It is important that the public receives accurate and contextually sound information.”According to the mayor, the N$77 million reflects an accumulated historical deficit since the municipality’s inception—not recent losses.“For the financial year ending 30 June 2021, the municipality generated total income of N$201.3 million, with total expenses at N$177.4 million, resulting in a gross surplus of N$23.8 million,” she explained.Recklessness After investment income and debt adjustments, the final recorded deficit was just N$964, the council said.Isaaks criticised media reporting as misleading and politically motivated, accusing past Swapo-led councils of years of fiscal recklessness.“Between 2016 and 2021, audit reports returned adverse opinions. The Build Together programme alone had N$16.9 million unaccounted for, and 283 accounts couldn’t be reconciled,” he said.The LPM-led council, which assumed office in 2021, says it has implemented corrective measures, including a N$1.4 million staff training programme to implement IPSAS accounting standards.Isaaks also cited systemic failures under previous councils, including overstated procurement values, ghost signatories on municipal bank accounts, and misuse of housing funds.“This council placed moratoriums, conducted internal audits, and restructured operations to restore governance,” he said, calling on the Public Accounts Committee to summon former municipal administrators responsible for the audited periods.Damage done In Okahandja, Deputy Mayor Akser Aupindi responded to reports that N$10 million was returned to Treasury, saying the incident predates the current council’s tenure.“No one amongst the councillors was aware of this send-off. The damage was already done by those who held office before us,” Aupindi said.He added that the current leadership, in office since 2021, should be judged on its own performance.“This is not shifting blame. It’s reality. I will be in a better position to face my community once the 2021/2022 audit report is released,” he said.Aupindi said such reversions were not new and insisted past leaders be held accountable.“We must not allow the powerful to distract us with cheap headlines. We must draw lines and face the real architects of this crisis,” he said.Both municipalities have invited the media to review documentation and audit records to ensure balanced reporting.

Keetmanshoop, Okahandja councils hit back at AG report claims

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-23

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Keetmanshoop, Okahandja councils hit back at AG report claims

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-23

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