Confusion still reigns at Rundu

It is still unclear when the election and swearing-in ceremony for Rundu town council office-bearers will take place as two Swapo structures continue to tussle over what procedure should be followed.A joint meeting between the Rundu Urban district executive committee and the Swapo national leaders assigned to Kavango East took place last Friday that aimed to resolve the issue. Chairperson of the Swapo Rundu Urban district executive committee Gabriel Hakusembe told Namibian Sun yesterday that the matter was resolved and that the swearing-in is likely to take place this week. However, according to Rundu acting CEO Fransiska Thikerete, it is unclear when the ceremony will take place as they are awaiting advice from the line ministry. Thikerete said this was after both the Swapo Rundu Urban district executive committee and the regional executive committee wrote letters to her office on the same matter. The content of the letters contradicted one another, and it was on that basis that the council forwarded the letters to the line ministry for advice. “It is not yet established when the swearing-in will take place,” Thikerete said. Swapo has a majority of five representatives serving on the seven-member Rundu council. The fight is a result of different interpretations of the Swapo constitution, the Local Authority Act, the Namibian Constitution and Swapo rules and procedures book. The district executive argues they have the mandate and power to dictate who should occupy which portfolio on the council, while the regional executive says the councillors should nominate one another for the positions of mayor, deputy mayor and for posts on the management committee The fight has been dragging on for months, leaving the cash-strapped Rundu town council in limbo, a situation that has led to residents being deprived of service delivery and development activities.Last December, the Swapo Rundu Urban district committee resolved to recall three councillors - Isak Kandingu, who served as the mayor, as well as deputy mayor Toini Hausiku and Anastacia Antonio, who both served on the management committee.KENYA KAMBOWE

Confusion still reigns at Rundu

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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Confusion still reigns at Rundu

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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