Ex-Grootfontein mayor wants incumbent recalled
• Tribal claims rock municipality
Divisions at the Grootfontein municipality are starting to take a tribal shape, as fighting intensifies.
Kenya KamboweRundu
Former Grootfontein mayor Lovisa Iyambo has called for current mayor Talitha Garises to be recalled, saying she is a ‘tribalist’ who is conniving with opposition councillors to victimise controversial town CEO Kisco Sinvula.
Garises, on the other hand, has hit back at her predecessor, claiming Khoekhoegowab-speaking residents are “not wanted” in leadership positions at the town.
Garises is the lone wolf from the Swapo benches pushing for Sinvula’s ouster, and was able to attain the majority vote in favour of the CEO’s suspension through the support of opposition councillors at the town.
Her three fellow Swapo councillors – Iyambo, Victor Shandjuka and Alfeus Nghikevali – are said to be against the suspension, but they are in the minority on the matter.
Garises is leading the crusade against Sinvula, who was suspended by councillors at the local authority over a myriad of allegations, chief of which was the manner in which he allegedly contracted his personal lawyer’s firm to council legal matters without going on tender. Evidence gathered by Namibian Sun shows the law firm, Kangueehi & Kavendjii Inc, has raked in N$800 000 from council so far from that contract.
Line minister Erastus Uutoni advised that Sinvula’s suspension be reserved until he pronounces himself on the matter, but a defiant Garises dared the minister to challenge the matter in court.
Iyambo urged for Garises’ recall, saying she was not a genuine Swapo member. Meanwhile, Garises believes the well-being of the municipality must outweigh partisan party politics – hence her firm stance.
Battle lines drawn
As matters stand, battle lines have been drawn between Damara and Aawambo councillors at the municipality.
Yesterday, Iyambo described Garises as a tribalist who does not understand Swapo’s ideology and who connives with Swapo’s adversaries – the opposition.
“Talitha is a tribalist. She must leave Kisco Sinvula alone. If she wants to join another political party, she is free to do so and leave the Swapo Party,” the former mayor said.
Iyambo, who according to sources is not on talking terms with Garises, made similar remarks in a widely circulated audio clip.
Garises told Namibian Sun that since she assumed the mayoral position in February and while Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) councillor Elizabeth Kastoor was sworn in as the chairperson of the management committee, they have been getting the cold shoulder from non-Khoekhoegowab-speaking councillors.
“We [Damaras] are not wanted because we are now sitting on top. That is the problem. They call me all sorts of names and that I am sell-out and that I brought Kastoor into being the chairperson of the management committee,” Garises said.
Cracks showing
Swapo councillor Shandjuka said the divisions are widening at all levels among Swapo comrades in the Otjozondjupa Region.
“The party itself across the region is divided, even the [Grootfontein] district executive is divided. This one is pushing this side and that one is pushing that side. The problem came because some wanted to become councillors and they did not make it to the list and they have now become aggrieved,” Shandjuka said.
On the allegations of ‘hating on’ Garises because she is Damara, Shandjuka denied the claims, saying he is married to a Khoekhoegowab-speaking woman.
When contacted for comment, Swapo Otjozondjupa regional coordinator Susan Hikopua said the party is observing what is unfolding at Grootfontein and will take a decision this coming week.
“A decision will be made and you shall see this week,” she said.
A press conference is scheduled to take place at the municipality this afternoon – to be addressed by Kastoor. The municipality’s acting CEO Sarie Hangara, installed in the position by Garises’ group, issued the press invitation.
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Former Grootfontein mayor Lovisa Iyambo has called for current mayor Talitha Garises to be recalled, saying she is a ‘tribalist’ who is conniving with opposition councillors to victimise controversial town CEO Kisco Sinvula.
Garises, on the other hand, has hit back at her predecessor, claiming Khoekhoegowab-speaking residents are “not wanted” in leadership positions at the town.
Garises is the lone wolf from the Swapo benches pushing for Sinvula’s ouster, and was able to attain the majority vote in favour of the CEO’s suspension through the support of opposition councillors at the town.
Her three fellow Swapo councillors – Iyambo, Victor Shandjuka and Alfeus Nghikevali – are said to be against the suspension, but they are in the minority on the matter.
Garises is leading the crusade against Sinvula, who was suspended by councillors at the local authority over a myriad of allegations, chief of which was the manner in which he allegedly contracted his personal lawyer’s firm to council legal matters without going on tender. Evidence gathered by Namibian Sun shows the law firm, Kangueehi & Kavendjii Inc, has raked in N$800 000 from council so far from that contract.
Line minister Erastus Uutoni advised that Sinvula’s suspension be reserved until he pronounces himself on the matter, but a defiant Garises dared the minister to challenge the matter in court.
Iyambo urged for Garises’ recall, saying she was not a genuine Swapo member. Meanwhile, Garises believes the well-being of the municipality must outweigh partisan party politics – hence her firm stance.
Battle lines drawn
As matters stand, battle lines have been drawn between Damara and Aawambo councillors at the municipality.
Yesterday, Iyambo described Garises as a tribalist who does not understand Swapo’s ideology and who connives with Swapo’s adversaries – the opposition.
“Talitha is a tribalist. She must leave Kisco Sinvula alone. If she wants to join another political party, she is free to do so and leave the Swapo Party,” the former mayor said.
Iyambo, who according to sources is not on talking terms with Garises, made similar remarks in a widely circulated audio clip.
Garises told Namibian Sun that since she assumed the mayoral position in February and while Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) councillor Elizabeth Kastoor was sworn in as the chairperson of the management committee, they have been getting the cold shoulder from non-Khoekhoegowab-speaking councillors.
“We [Damaras] are not wanted because we are now sitting on top. That is the problem. They call me all sorts of names and that I am sell-out and that I brought Kastoor into being the chairperson of the management committee,” Garises said.
Cracks showing
Swapo councillor Shandjuka said the divisions are widening at all levels among Swapo comrades in the Otjozondjupa Region.
“The party itself across the region is divided, even the [Grootfontein] district executive is divided. This one is pushing this side and that one is pushing that side. The problem came because some wanted to become councillors and they did not make it to the list and they have now become aggrieved,” Shandjuka said.
On the allegations of ‘hating on’ Garises because she is Damara, Shandjuka denied the claims, saying he is married to a Khoekhoegowab-speaking woman.
When contacted for comment, Swapo Otjozondjupa regional coordinator Susan Hikopua said the party is observing what is unfolding at Grootfontein and will take a decision this coming week.
“A decision will be made and you shall see this week,” she said.
A press conference is scheduled to take place at the municipality this afternoon – to be addressed by Kastoor. The municipality’s acting CEO Sarie Hangara, installed in the position by Garises’ group, issued the press invitation.
[email protected]
Comments
Comandante Carlos
we are watching them TEAM SHAWAPO and TEAM HARAMBEE