Governor hurls insults

Dramatic scenes with near physical confrontations and marred by tribal undertones played out two weeks ago in the Hardap Region with its political head at the centre of the skirmish.Governor Esme Isaacks yesterday upon enquiry on allegations that she referred to a staff member of the Maltahöhe Village Council as an 'Owambo' and a near physical confrontation with the Daweb constituency councillor, responded in anger and told this reporter, “Get off my back.” She would not comment any further.A staff member of the Maltahöhe Village Council, Ester Iipinge, who is responsible for NamWater accounts disconnected the Maltahöhe police station's water due to non-payment. The police station and the barracks' accounts are alleged to be in the red with more than N$260 000.This angered the governor, who upon arrival at the offices of the council declared that she is the governor of the region and allegedly told staff that “nothing will take place in that place without her knowledge”.“You people from Maltahöhe are so uncouth. Where is that Owambo who is cutting off water?” she asked.Iipinge was on maternity leave which Isaacks questioned.Upon enquiry about her alleged remarks and behaviour the governor refused to comment and abruptly switched off her phone.On 4 June the governor together with Edward Wambo, chairperson of the Hardap Regional Council, visited the Maltahöhe Village Council to supervise the election of the Swapo District Coordinator. This is where the altercation is alleged to have taken place.Iipinge, who when contacted for comment, referred Namibian Sun to the village council's acting chief executive.She however stated her distaste for being referred to on her tribal origin.She explained that the water and electricity supply to the Maltahöhe police station was reconnected.“We don't just disconnect water. We first check the amount of arrears outstanding and if the client's arrears are more than N$300 we call them in and inform them about disconnection and arrange payment to settle outstanding arrears,” she explained.She confirmed the police station owes NamWater more than N$200 000 while the police barracks' arrears are over N$60 000.Meanwhile Helena Tâseb, a clerk at the council confirmed that the electricity supply to the police station was reconnected after the governor left, while the police barracks are still without power for non-payment. Some of the staff members who out fear for possible persecution chose anonymity said, “We were so ashamed and were near to tears when she started scolding us without asking.”Further drama unfolded in the office when she had a heated exchange with Gerhardt Richter, man most of the people regard as not in his right mind. Having come to buy electricity, he saw the governor and immediately told her he is hungry and she must give him money to buy bread.She allegedly however chased him away saying, “You dirty thing! I do not give my money to things like you! Go and wash yourself.”Richter allegedly said: “Eto tae xu ga nama he.” [What is a Nama? You people are stupid and when you get a position you become big-headed.] Isaacks further told Richter she is not going to give him money because he is going to buy alcohol but he allegedly invited her if she does not believe him to go with him to buy the bread.The heated exchange between the two transpired before the residents who came for municipal services at the council's office.Wambo, who accompanied her, said the leaders are saying they are not respected but as leaders they must also bring their side especially with regards their behaviour towards the public because respect is mutual.The governor said “I have said it and it is done”, after which she instructed the councillors, station commander of the police and the Swapo district coordinator to sit and discuss police arrears and to reconnect the electricity supply. On Thursday, 15 June, after the handing-over ceremony of community projects during a lunch at the Mariental Hotel the governor allegedly again started scolding the regional councillors who were present.Hercules Jantze, the Daweb constituency councillor, advised her to speak in a respectable manner and if she has issues then she must call them privately and advise them.She is said to have jumped up, hitting her fists on the table saying, “You do not only have disrespect for my position as a governor but have no respect for me as a person!” She is said to have thrown her glasses away saying in Afrikaans: “Ons sal mekaar moer! It's enough you do not have respect for the position of a governor.” FRED GOEIEMAN

Governor hurls insults

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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Governor hurls insults

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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