Katima council sued for reversing land-for-vehicles deal
The company owned by businessman Dr Sindila Mwiya, Rural-Based Solutions (RBS), has instituted legal action against the Katima Mulilo Town Council, its chief executive officer, and urban development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa over the reversal of a controversial land-for-vehicles agreement.
However, the council maintains it has yet to receive any court papers.
RBS’s lawyer, Patrick Kauta, confirmed to Namibian Sun that the lawsuit was filed at the end of October.
“We already sued – both the CEO of Katima Mulilo and the minister,” he said. He declined to discuss potential remedies or damages, citing the matter’s sub judice status.
Katima Mulilo council spokesperson Chrispin Muyoba said late last week that the municipality had not been served.
“You are telling me they have gone to court, but we don’t have such a thing. Council will only comment after receiving the summons,” he said, adding that he would consult management before issuing further comment.
Heart of the deal
The legal challenge stems from a deal concluded in mid-2023, under which the council agreed to exchange 31 hectares of municipal land for vehicles and equipment supplied by RBS.
A letter dated 15 June 2023, signed by CEO Raphael Liswaniso, who is currently on suspension, confirmed that council had approved RBS’s application during an 8 June meeting.
Under the arrangement – now at the heart of the dispute – RBS supplied council with two SUV vehicles, two new quad bikes, three second-hand quad bikes, and a survey drone.
Ministerial intervention
The agreement was revoked in May this year after Sankwasa intervened, instructing the town council to return all items acquired through what he said were irregular transactions lacking the mandatory ministerial approval.
Affected companies were given 14 days to collect the items, including eight deregistered vehicles, four quad bikes, two laptops and a drone.
Muyoba defended the revocation, saying it was meant to “restore accountability and good governance”. He added that the vehicles had been parked for two to three months without affecting council operations.
Muyoba said all companies had acknowledged receipt of the revocation letters and that the council was now “just waiting for them to come collect their cars”.
Items slated for return include a Nissan Almera, a 4×4 Mahindra pickup and a Toyota Starlet from Dr Kombo Group; a Toyota Fortuner (4×2), four quad bikes, two Asus laptops and a drone from RBS; as well as a 4×4 Mahindra pickup from Malena Property Investment.
However, the council maintains it has yet to receive any court papers.
RBS’s lawyer, Patrick Kauta, confirmed to Namibian Sun that the lawsuit was filed at the end of October.
“We already sued – both the CEO of Katima Mulilo and the minister,” he said. He declined to discuss potential remedies or damages, citing the matter’s sub judice status.
Katima Mulilo council spokesperson Chrispin Muyoba said late last week that the municipality had not been served.
“You are telling me they have gone to court, but we don’t have such a thing. Council will only comment after receiving the summons,” he said, adding that he would consult management before issuing further comment.
Heart of the deal
The legal challenge stems from a deal concluded in mid-2023, under which the council agreed to exchange 31 hectares of municipal land for vehicles and equipment supplied by RBS.
A letter dated 15 June 2023, signed by CEO Raphael Liswaniso, who is currently on suspension, confirmed that council had approved RBS’s application during an 8 June meeting.
Under the arrangement – now at the heart of the dispute – RBS supplied council with two SUV vehicles, two new quad bikes, three second-hand quad bikes, and a survey drone.
Ministerial intervention
The agreement was revoked in May this year after Sankwasa intervened, instructing the town council to return all items acquired through what he said were irregular transactions lacking the mandatory ministerial approval.
Affected companies were given 14 days to collect the items, including eight deregistered vehicles, four quad bikes, two laptops and a drone.
Muyoba defended the revocation, saying it was meant to “restore accountability and good governance”. He added that the vehicles had been parked for two to three months without affecting council operations.
Muyoba said all companies had acknowledged receipt of the revocation letters and that the council was now “just waiting for them to come collect their cars”.
Items slated for return include a Nissan Almera, a 4×4 Mahindra pickup and a Toyota Starlet from Dr Kombo Group; a Toyota Fortuner (4×2), four quad bikes, two Asus laptops and a drone from RBS; as well as a 4×4 Mahindra pickup from Malena Property Investment.
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