Rundu mayor accused of vehicle abuse, secret repairs

Rundu mayor Gabriel Mukenge Kanyanga has been accused of covering up damages to his official vehicle by bypassing procedures for repairs and using his private car to claim mileage allowances.During the first council meeting held recently, Councillor Nico Ndumba tabled a motion demanding documentation related to vehicle damages involving the mayor, alleging that Kanyanga handled repairs privately instead of following proper procedures.“I am raising a serious concern through this motion, requesting the mayor to present all relevant documents regarding vehicle accidents he was directly involved in,” Ndumba said.The motion, tabled under Section 14(1)(c) of the Local Authorities Act of 1992, calls for transparency in handling public resources. Ndumba requested all police accident reports, including Pol 66 and witness statements, along with quotations and proof of payments for vehicle repairs. He also sought clarification on whether procurement procedures were followed.Additionally, he demanded information on specific incidents, such as the mayor’s trip to Zimbabwe, which allegedly resulted in damages to the vehicle’s spotlights, and another unexplained trip where the car sustained knife scratches. Further concerns include unauthorized drivers using council vehicles and a headlamp replacement on another undisclosed journey.Speaking to Namibian Sun on Monday, Ndumba said the mayor’s car was taken to Zimbabwe about two years ago.“I initially remained quiet because he travelled with other staff members. However, when the car returned, I noticed the spotlight was hanging and had been tied with a rope. I expected the council to be briefed, but that never happened,” he said.Ndumba questioned why no explanation was given regarding the car’s repair and who covered the costs.“That was the first incident. It seemed minor, but there was no accountability. Since then, more issues have arisen. The mayor consistently avoids using the official council driver. Every time he travels, he drives himself, leaving the driver behind. He is not a council employee or a management official authorized to use council vehicles this way,” Ndumba said.According to Ndumba, after being questioned about his use of council vehicles, the mayor allegedly started using his private vehicle instead, raising further concerns about financial misconduct.“He began claiming council fuel for his private car while also receiving a mileage allowance of N$5.25 per km. Normally, if a council official claims mileage, they do not receive fuel as well; it’s either one or the other. Yet, he was getting both. This is double-dipping,” he said.Ndumba also cited an incident in December when the mayor travelled to Windhoek and allegedly noticed a missing spotlight on his vehicle.“To cover it up quickly, he went to a shop, bought new lights, and installed them. Instead of reporting the issue, he submitted the invoice to the finance department and demanded reimbursement. When finance inquired with the transport department, suspicions arose. Investigations confirmed that new lights had indeed been installed, yet the mayor refused to respond when confronted,” he said.Ndumba added that he would follow up this week to determine whether the finance department processed the reimbursement.“I also intend to raise this issue at the full council meeting so that everyone is aware of this blatant mismanagement and misuse of council resources,” he said.The councillor is also demanding documentation of all payments made to Kanyanga for subsistence and travel allowances (S&T) during private trips, as well as fuel allocations for his private vehicle. He insists that unless proven otherwise, the mayor must refund any unauthorized payments.“We are fully convinced that double payments have been made. Until we are shown proof that these payments were in line with council policies, the money must be refunded,” he said.The issue is set to be discussed at the next council meeting under Section 14(1)(c) of the Local Authorities Act.Documents seen by Namibian Sun reveal that Rundu Town Council’s fleet management policy explicitly prohibits the use of private vehicles for official business unless the person has a car allowance or prior approval from the CEO.“When an employee is authorized to use their private vehicle for official duties, their personal insurance is considered primary. The council’s insurance only provides liability protection beyond the employee’s policy,” the policy states.When contacted for comment, Mayor Kanyanga denied any abuse of power.“There was no abuse of power. I will only comment on the matter when the time is right,” he said. - nikanor@nmh-hub.com.naUNDER FIRE: The mayor of Rundu Gabriel Kanyanga. Photo: Nikanor Nangolo

Rundu mayor accused of vehicle abuse, secret repairs

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-17

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Rundu mayor accused of vehicle abuse, secret repairs

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-17

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