Local authority leaders accused of running rogue govts
‘Widespread misgovernance, corruption’ concern minister
The urban and rural development minister has warned elected leaders to work towards common national goals and refrain from pushing party-based agendas.
Urban and rural development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa has accused some regional authorities of operating too independently from government, prioritising political allegiances over national interests.
Sankwasa singled out the Kunene, //Kharas, Hardap and Erongo regions as the main culprits.
The minister said that since assuming office two months ago, he has observed a high level of disregard for the principles of good governance, adding that it is unsurprising that officials fail to deliver efficient and effective public services.
“This is the root of many of the challenges we face today – widespread misgovernance and corruption in many local authorities, some of which appear to operate as though they are autonomous from the central government, aligned more with party interests than with national principles," the minister charged.
“We must put an end to this political deviation and resist efforts to turn local councils into independent entities operating under the influence of individual political parties," he added, saying that these observations are based on "my first-hand observations".
Sankwasa underlined that regional officials "must recognise that local and regional authorities are representatives of the Republic of Namibia.
"They are mandated to implement national policy, both politically and financially, not party-based agendas. Any other approach is not only misleading but also unfair,” he stressed.
Sankwasa added that the country had seen this, particularly in land management, where local authorities grant land without ministerial approval, claiming they will sort out the finances later.
“This is unacceptable and undermines good governance,” he warned.
The rule of law and justice
Sankwasa made these remarks during a high-level consultative meeting for regional councils and local authorities in Windhoek on Monday, where he also highlighted his concerns on corruption.
“Corruption is spreading rapidly, mainly among political and elected officials, across regional and local government structures, ministries, and even the executive," he said, adding that local authorities are central to these concerns and must be held accountable for their actions.
The minister underlined that Namibia is, first and foremost, a united state, not merely a secular state.
"As members of this constitutional democracy, we must act according to the will and values of the Namibian people," he said.
Secondly, he said the rule of law governs Namibia and those elected as representative leaders are bound by the oath of office to uphold the Constitution and govern within its framework.
The minister stressed that elected officials swear an oath that affirms their “commitment to serve the people honestly, fairly and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Namibia”.
Sankwasa questioned how councillors can claim to uphold and defend the Constitution yet act in ways that contradict the very laws that form the basis of Namibia’s democracy.
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Sankwasa singled out the Kunene, //Kharas, Hardap and Erongo regions as the main culprits.
The minister said that since assuming office two months ago, he has observed a high level of disregard for the principles of good governance, adding that it is unsurprising that officials fail to deliver efficient and effective public services.
“This is the root of many of the challenges we face today – widespread misgovernance and corruption in many local authorities, some of which appear to operate as though they are autonomous from the central government, aligned more with party interests than with national principles," the minister charged.
“We must put an end to this political deviation and resist efforts to turn local councils into independent entities operating under the influence of individual political parties," he added, saying that these observations are based on "my first-hand observations".
Sankwasa underlined that regional officials "must recognise that local and regional authorities are representatives of the Republic of Namibia.
"They are mandated to implement national policy, both politically and financially, not party-based agendas. Any other approach is not only misleading but also unfair,” he stressed.
Sankwasa added that the country had seen this, particularly in land management, where local authorities grant land without ministerial approval, claiming they will sort out the finances later.
“This is unacceptable and undermines good governance,” he warned.
The rule of law and justice
Sankwasa made these remarks during a high-level consultative meeting for regional councils and local authorities in Windhoek on Monday, where he also highlighted his concerns on corruption.
“Corruption is spreading rapidly, mainly among political and elected officials, across regional and local government structures, ministries, and even the executive," he said, adding that local authorities are central to these concerns and must be held accountable for their actions.
The minister underlined that Namibia is, first and foremost, a united state, not merely a secular state.
"As members of this constitutional democracy, we must act according to the will and values of the Namibian people," he said.
Secondly, he said the rule of law governs Namibia and those elected as representative leaders are bound by the oath of office to uphold the Constitution and govern within its framework.
The minister stressed that elected officials swear an oath that affirms their “commitment to serve the people honestly, fairly and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Namibia”.
Sankwasa questioned how councillors can claim to uphold and defend the Constitution yet act in ways that contradict the very laws that form the basis of Namibia’s democracy.
[email protected]
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