Residents call for land audit at Lüderitz
A group of Lüderitz residents have gathered more than 1 500 signatures in a petition requesting a forensic and land audit at the town.
The petition, which started circulating last week, is addressed to the urban development minister, James Sankwasa and the Lüderitz Town Council management committee.
A member of a group of concerned residents, Dirkie Stevens, who started the petition, confirmed this.
The group are requesting an immediate institution of a forensic audit into the financial management of the Lüderitz Town Council from 2014 to 2024.
According to the group, residents deserve transparent governance, fair land practices and accountability when using public funds.
"The people of Lüderitz have endured severe economic setbacks due to financial mismanagement, corruption and lack of transparency within their local government. Urgent and decisive intervention is necessary to restore good governance and public trust,” the group wrote in the petition.
Financial mismanagement
They noted that they are deeply worried about increasing reports of alleged systemic financial mismanagement, unauthorised land transactions and the diversion and misappropriation of fishing quota proceeds intended for public development.
Despite multiple motions raised by sitting councillors to address growing concerns about alleged maladministration and corruption, no meaningful action has been taken to implement motions seeking to have these issues addressed.
"Council resolutions, especially those calling for an audit into the allegations of illegal sale of erven and questionable financial conduct, have not been returned nor disclosed to the public, raising further alarm,” the group said in the petition.
According to the group, continuous adverse and qualified audit opinions indicate severe financial irregularities and possible mismanagement of public funds.
The group alleged that there were unauthorised financial transactions, the diversion of funds for private benefit and a lack of transparency in financial reporting, which led to the failure to take corrective measures despite repeated red flags from auditing authorities.
Land sales
The group also highlighted that numerous erven within Lüderitz have reportedly been sold in contravention of Sections 30 and 63 of the Local Authorities Act, which requires transparency, public participation and council resolutions for land transactions.
Certain transactions allegedly bypassed legal procurement and approval processes.
"Some properties were reportedly resold before full payments were made, raising potential breaches of fraud. Reports also indicate that key financial and land transaction documents were deliberately shredded to erase evidence of mismanagement," the petition read.
Fishing quota funds
According to the group, proceeds from a fishing quota granted by the fisheries ministry to the council were allegedly diverted to private trusts by former councillors through maladministration.
“Only two accounts of the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival Trust, which has existed for 18 years, have been audited. The beneficiaries remain unknown and no reporting has been made to the town council. Evidence suggests that these funds were misused by a select group of former and current council officials. This warrants an investigation under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 2004," the petition stated.
Mayor commends concerned group
The mayor of Lüderitz, Phillipus Balhao, said that the council is currently reviewing the details of the petition. Balhao applauded the concerned group's participatory approach and commended those involved for holding the town council and leadership accountable.
"We will provide an official statement once we have completed our assessment,” Balhao said.
The petition, which started circulating last week, is addressed to the urban development minister, James Sankwasa and the Lüderitz Town Council management committee.
A member of a group of concerned residents, Dirkie Stevens, who started the petition, confirmed this.
The group are requesting an immediate institution of a forensic audit into the financial management of the Lüderitz Town Council from 2014 to 2024.
According to the group, residents deserve transparent governance, fair land practices and accountability when using public funds.
"The people of Lüderitz have endured severe economic setbacks due to financial mismanagement, corruption and lack of transparency within their local government. Urgent and decisive intervention is necessary to restore good governance and public trust,” the group wrote in the petition.
Financial mismanagement
They noted that they are deeply worried about increasing reports of alleged systemic financial mismanagement, unauthorised land transactions and the diversion and misappropriation of fishing quota proceeds intended for public development.
Despite multiple motions raised by sitting councillors to address growing concerns about alleged maladministration and corruption, no meaningful action has been taken to implement motions seeking to have these issues addressed.
"Council resolutions, especially those calling for an audit into the allegations of illegal sale of erven and questionable financial conduct, have not been returned nor disclosed to the public, raising further alarm,” the group said in the petition.
According to the group, continuous adverse and qualified audit opinions indicate severe financial irregularities and possible mismanagement of public funds.
The group alleged that there were unauthorised financial transactions, the diversion of funds for private benefit and a lack of transparency in financial reporting, which led to the failure to take corrective measures despite repeated red flags from auditing authorities.
Land sales
The group also highlighted that numerous erven within Lüderitz have reportedly been sold in contravention of Sections 30 and 63 of the Local Authorities Act, which requires transparency, public participation and council resolutions for land transactions.
Certain transactions allegedly bypassed legal procurement and approval processes.
"Some properties were reportedly resold before full payments were made, raising potential breaches of fraud. Reports also indicate that key financial and land transaction documents were deliberately shredded to erase evidence of mismanagement," the petition read.
Fishing quota funds
According to the group, proceeds from a fishing quota granted by the fisheries ministry to the council were allegedly diverted to private trusts by former councillors through maladministration.
“Only two accounts of the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival Trust, which has existed for 18 years, have been audited. The beneficiaries remain unknown and no reporting has been made to the town council. Evidence suggests that these funds were misused by a select group of former and current council officials. This warrants an investigation under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 2004," the petition stated.
Mayor commends concerned group
The mayor of Lüderitz, Phillipus Balhao, said that the council is currently reviewing the details of the petition. Balhao applauded the concerned group's participatory approach and commended those involved for holding the town council and leadership accountable.
"We will provide an official statement once we have completed our assessment,” Balhao said.
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