Walvis Bay’s management committee under fire

A Walvis Bay councillor has accused the municipality’s management committee of financial mismanagement and poor leadership, and wants its members replaced immediately.

Councillor Adolf Kahmann submitted a motion of no confidence on Monday, claiming that a lack of leadership has hurt the council’s effectiveness.

Mayor and council chairperson Johannes Shimbilinga referred the motion for consideration at a special council meeting.

Kahmann said the management committee had “failed to ensure a professional flow of business of council during the past year”.

He based his motion on Rule 19 of the standing rules for Local Authority Councils, which allows a council member to introduce a motion of no confidence in the management committee.

Kahmann accused the committee of failing to provide effective administrative oversight, alleging that personal disputes had affected cooperation with the office of the chief executive officer.

“Under the leadership of chairperson Ephraim Shozi, the abdication of duty is fuelled by personal wars raging between the members of this very management committee, as well as a persistent and unprocedural refusal to effectively cooperate with the office of the CEO.”

He said the committee was guilty of alleged “administrative overreach” and that, as a result, issues such as staff grievances, appointments, and various other public concerns “of a serious nature are left unattended for months on end”.

Kahmann added the committee’s failure to comply with standard scheduled meeting requirements “is a testimony of poor or zero leadership skills and is proving detrimental to the efficiency of this council”.

Spending under scrutiny

Kahmann also raised a trip undertaken by five councillors, allegedly following a summons from the minister of urban and rural development.

“Council must note the reckless approach by this management committee with regard to public funds and the correct legal and procedural application thereof.”

He claimed the summons had not reached council before the trip took place and said “council resources were unprocedurally and wilfully abused to give effect to a political caucus whose only objective was to resolve infighting among the so-called ‘summoned’ members, who coincidentally are all members of the same political party”.

He said the members have also claimed S&T allowances for “this illegally executed undertaking”.

Another concern was a breakdown of trust between the management committee, municipal administration and full council.

“Their continued reliance on external political interference or third-party influences, rather than operating from a perspective of public interest, has paralysed this committee and rendered them ineffective in their duties and functions to council and the community at large.”

Lastly, he cited unresolved municipal matters despite council resolutions, which he said reflected poor leadership and disregard for administrative procedures.

“A complete lack of leadership skills, combined with a total disregard for administrative procedure and the rule of law, disqualifies this management committee, and as a result, I move for their removal from office with immediate effect.”