Sankwasa orders councillors to declare debts, links own debt to 2027 congress

Local authorities have been directed to submit the names of newly elected councillors with outstanding municipal debts by 16 April, including the amounts owed and how long the bills have been outstanding.

In a letter dated 10 April to mayors, chairpersons and local authority councils, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa said councillors, as residents of the areas they serve, must be held to the same standards as the public.

“To improve good governance of local authorities, your office is urgently directed to provide all councillors who have outstanding water/electricity accounts with your local authority," he noted.

"Kindly indicate the names and actual outstanding amounts, including the period such bills have been outstanding.”

When contacted for comment on Monday, Sankwasa told Namibian Sun that the code of conduct governing councillors requires them to settle their accounts with local authorities and lead by example.

The minister underlined that the information will not be made public.

“The information is not being requested for publication in the media but to hold councillors accountable.”

He added that some residents owing only a few hundred dollars have had their water or electricity services suspended, while certain councillors who owe thousands continue to receive services uninterrupted.

“Only those owing huge amounts to the council and who wanted to hide their outstanding accounts by becoming councillors of local authorities [will be affected]," he added.

Second demand

The information had first been requested in December 2025, with a deadline of 9 January 2026, but that few authorities had complied.

In the first letter, dated 22 December 2025, Sankwasa said the request formed part of efforts to strengthen governance within local authorities.

He instructed that the names be submitted by 9 January.

The directive followed NamWater's announcement that unpaid water bills had reached N$2.8 billion as of 30 November 2025.

Town councils account for the largest share of the debt, owing N$926.9 million (32.8% of the total), followed by municipalities at N$253.7 million and village councils at N$169.8 million.

NamWater

In January, The Namibian reported that Sankwasa owed about N$174 000 to NamWater.

At the time, Sankwasa told the publication that the debt related to an account he inherited from his late mother, who shared his surname. He said he was in the process of settling it.

Yesterday, when asked for an update on his debt to NamWater – in light of his latest directive to councillors – Sankwasa declined to comment directly on the matter.

"You have personalised my NamWater account. Where in the code of conduct does my NamWater account fit?"

He appeared annoyed by the question and added: "If you are on your political mission, where you seem to have been bought, please go ahead and write whatever you want."

"How many clients are owing NamWater, even political leaders (sic)," he added, asking whether the publication had written about that.

"Please proceed with your political mission, because you are being used for the ensuing campaign of 2027. I know your type and agenda."

Inconsistent application

Former Okahandja deputy mayor and councillor Akser Aupindi said that, if Sankwasa’s directive is framed as a governance measure, it raises concerns about inconsistent treatment across different tiers of government.

He questioned why senior officials, including the president, Cabinet ministers, members of parliament and public servants, are not subject to the same level of transparency and accountability regarding their private accounts.

"Do they not reside within local authority jurisdictions like councillors?" he asked.

"Do ministers, parliamentarians and public servants not also have accounts in those localities?”

Aupindi warned that such inconsistencies could undermine public trust in government institutions.

He urged Sankwasa to reconsider the directive and instead adopt a uniform approach that balances transparency with the privacy of all public officials.

He added that holding public office does not alter a councillor’s status as a resident, nor does it shield them from economic challenges.

Aupindi further argued that councillors are entitled to the same confidentiality protections as other residents.

He said good governance requires adherence to established systems and processes, including municipal debt management policies that apply equally to all residents.

"I am aware of the code of conduct where councillors are urged not to owe the council," he added. "However, it does mean that councillors cannot make arrangements."

Good call

Former Lüderitz mayor Phillip Balhao said Sankwasa's directive is justified.

“In all honesty, it is one of the requirements for a local authority councillor that you should not have exorbitant outstanding debt with the local authority you aim to serve. It’s a requirement that, in my view, needs to be implemented and emphasised more, so I think it’s a good initiative,” he said.

He added that while it may be viewed as an infringement on privacy, "as a public servant… once you step into that domain, compliance becomes of the utmost importance, and you should lead by example."

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