Sankwasa cracks down on absentee councillors

Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has warned local authorities and regional councillors living outside their areas of representation to relocate within three months or face disqualification.

Speaking on Monday at the opening of the 2026 regional and local authorities induction training for leaders from the Oshana, Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions, Sankwasa said the law is clear: elected councillors must reside in the constituencies or local authorities where they were elected.

“There is no way you can be the mayor of Ondangwa but be stationed in Tsumeb," the minister said.

"The moment you are no longer a resident of that local authority, you are disqualified. No one disqualified you – you disqualified yourself,” Sankwasa stressed.

He said Section 92 of the Local Authorities Act sets out the conditions under which councils can be dissolved.

Sankwasa emphasised that residency is not a technicality but a constitutional obligation tied directly to representation.

“First and foremost, a regional councillor is elected for a constituency. A local authority councillor is elected for a particular town. You qualify to stand because you are a resident and registered as a voter there,” he said.

Still, he explained that removing councillors is not his primary role unless formal processes are triggered.

He underlined that his ministry can only act against non-resident councillors if voters lodge formal complaints.

“My duty is not to remove councillors. But if you invite me to do so, I will do so,” he warned.

According to the Local Authorities Act, councillors who were not residing in their constituencies at the time of election are required to relocate within three months.

“People voted to meet you. They did not elect a house; they elected you. People don’t talk to a house. You must reside there and attend to the people’s pleas,” Sankwasa said.

Woeful service delivery

Sankwasa furthermore dismissed political loyalty as an excuse for non-compliance, warning that shielding underperforming leaders in the name of comradeship is damaging the country.

“This thing of saying, ‘How can you as a comrade do that to another comrade?’ must stop. We are destroying this country, and we have a duty to protect it for the next generation,” Sankwasa said.

The minister also accused several local authorities of failing in their basic responsibilities, particularly in providing housing and municipal services, describing the state of management in many towns as “a shame”.

“Leadership and management are not being done properly. Some dirt is piling up and becoming mountains,” he added.

Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge echoed Sankwasa's sentiments, saying the councillors have been elected to represent the masses' interests, articulate their needs and drive development within their respective constituencies, towns, regions and villages.

“Therefore, familiarise yourself with the legislative framework governing regional and local authority, the roles and responsibilities of councillors, the principles of good governance and the expectations of the communities you serve,” Iipinge said.