Kunene council sues Sankwasa over funding freeze

The Kunene Regional Council has approached the High Court to review and set aside decisions by urban and rural development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa to withhold government funding and block the reallocation of its budget, in a deepening dispute over the reinstatement of chief regional officer (CRO) George Kamseb.

In papers filed on 19 March, the council argues that the minister’s actions are “unconstitutional, unlawful, and illegal”, claiming they amount to punitive measures tied to the long-running Kamseb saga.

The matter stems from a 2021 decision by the council to reinstate Kamseb, which was later challenged by the minister in the High Court of Namibia.

A ruling delivered on 27 October 2025 set aside the council’s decision, prompting both the council and Kamseb to appeal to the Supreme Court of Namibia in late 2025.

Despite the pending appeal, tensions escalated earlier this year when the council included Kamseb in a delegation to an induction workshop hosted by the ministry in Swakopmund.

Funding threat

In WhatsApp messages sent on 7 and 8 February, Sankwasa warned that no councillors from Kunene would be allowed to attend the workshop and that all government financial subventions would be halted if Kamseb continued acting in his role.

“No government financial subvention will henceforth be subvented to Kunene Regional Council… This takes immediate effect,” the minister wrote.

Council chairperson Western Muharukua said the delegation attended the workshop regardless, describing the directive as “blatantly unreasonable and unlawful”.

The standoff intensified when the minister reportedly ordered the delegation to leave the workshop - a directive they refused to obey.

Budget blocked

At the centre of the legal challenge is also the ministry’s refusal to approve the council’s request for the virement of funds submitted in January 2026.

The request was rejected on 11 February, with the ministry arguing that funds could not be operationalised without a duly appointed CRO.

In further correspondence dated 9 March, Sankwasa maintained that no funds would be disbursed until the appeal is concluded or an acting CRO is appointed.

The council contends that the minister’s actions violate Article 18 of the Constitution, which guarantees fair and reasonable administrative action.

It argues that, under Namibian common law, the noting of an appeal suspends the execution of a High Court judgment - meaning the status quo should remain until the Supreme Court rules.

“The minister is punishing all and everyone employed by the Kunene Regional Council… simply because the minister is not happy with the fact that the council is exercising its rights,” the application states.

The council also disputes claims that Kamseb is unlawfully receiving remuneration, saying he has not been paid a salary but only subsistence allowances for official travel.

‘Pressure tactics’ alleged

According to the filing, the minister’s decisions are based on “incorrect information” and are irrational.

The council further accuses Sankwasa of using his powers under the Regional Councils Act to pressure it into abandoning its appeal - a move it describes as impermissible.

On 23 February, the council resolved to institute legal proceedings, authorising Muharukua to act on its behalf.

It is now seeking a court order to review and set aside both the funding freeze and the rejection of its budget reallocation request, while reserving the right to supplement its case once it obtains the full record of the minister’s decisions.