AR, DTA lay into Katima CEO

The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) and DTA this week condemned utterances made by Katima Mulilo CEO Raphael Liswaniso following the demolition of illegal structures at the town.The Namibian this week quoted Liswaniso as saying that urban land is not for the poor and that those who cannot afford town land should instead stay on communal land.“The town is not a place for people who are poor, as we provide services at a cost. So if you are poor it is better you stay in communal land,” Liswaniso said. “You should only come to town when you know you have organised your life and are able to afford land here. Being poor does not give you the right to obtain land in an illegal way, you must follow the law. Many of these people are coming here to look for employment while there is no employment and they are instead becoming criminals.”The statement was not well received by the land activists and the country's main opposition, DTA.In a statement issued by DTA's treasurer, Nico Smit, the party called for the resignation of the CEO.“Such unbecoming behaviour and conduct has no place in the public service, and much less in executive management structures of a local authority in Namibia. The DTA therefore calls on Mr Liswaniso to resign from his post as CEO of the Katima Mulilo Town Council with immediate effect, as the party regards him to be unfit to hold a position in the public service. Failing this, we call for his dismissal by the relevant authority,” the DTA said.“The DTA believes the statement by Mr Liswaniso reveal a shocking misunderstanding and ignorance of the role of local authorities in local economic development, and in creating the conditions and opportunities for all Namibians to improve their lives.”The AR movement said it was unfortunate but not surprising that Liswaniso who is barely six months in office was demolishing structures of poor families.“That he is only employed for the rich appeared shocking for some. We are not surprised because it has become an organising principle for those who want to be liked by the Harambee regime to take anti-poor positions such as demolishing houses for the poor,” the statement read.AR further stated it cannot help but conclude that Liswaniso landed the CEO job because “he is an elite stooge”. “The AR movement is busy restructuring and reinvigorating its structures in towns. Because of Liswaniso's undomesticated and uncultured mouth Katima Mulilo will be our first target town for restructuring. There will be land occupation in Katima Mulilo,” it stated. Meanwhile, Nampa reports that, Mukendwa Simasiku, who was injured during a scuffle with police and council officials during the demolitions at Katima Mulilo last week, is planning to sue the police and municipality.Liswaniso declined to comment and referred Namibian Sun to the Katima Mulilo Town Council spokesperson Pasval Elija who confirmed that demolishing is ongoing. Responding to Simasiku's threat to sue the municipality, Elija said they are waiting until “papers are served to see if we must engage our lawyers.”

AR, DTA lay into Katima CEO

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

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AR, DTA lay into Katima CEO

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

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