Katima rattled by anti-graft protest
Angry Katima Mulilo residents took to the streets yesterday to protest against alleged corruption and mismanagement by local authority councillors, while also calling on the urban and rural development ministry to launch an investigation.
The demonstration took place less than a month after a previous protest highlighted similar grievances, and also called for local councillors and Katima Mulilo CEO Raphael Liswaniso to be removed from their posts.
Liswaniso told Namibian Sun yesterday the allegations contained in the petition are “devoid of truth” and accused the protesters of being misled and misinformed on many of the issues contained in their petition.
He stressed he has been in the position of CEO since last August and was himself intent on rooting out all corrupt practices at the town council.
“There are people who are scared of the current CEO, because I am here to expose corrupt activities. I won't stop. Those who are scared are confusing people and giving them the wrong information. I am here to ensure that public funds are spent correctly and that these funds benefit those in need,” Liswaniso said.
He further noted the town council will respond in full to all allegations contained in yesterday's petition.
The petition, among other accusations and demands, accused the local authority leadership of having “failed its own people” and alleged that the “town council has been captured” by a Chinese-owned company, A.B.C investments cc.
The petition listed 13 tenders allegedly awarded to the company over the past four years, including storm drainage construction jobs, water meter installations and cleaning and painting activities, among others.
The company is reportedly owned by Chinese businessman Quo Yun Hai.
The petition contains an urgent plea for urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga to visit the town in person to review the grievances put on the table.
The protesters are demanding further that all Swapo councillors be recalled by the party's secretary general, based on accusations that include illegal house demolitions, ignoring public procurement regulations and not working in the interest of the local residents.
They further demanded that Liswaniso be forced to resign with “immediate effect” as “he is incapable” of carrying out his mandate.
These demands and accusations reflect similar demands made in a protest last month.
On Sunday, Fabian Sampaya, one of the organisers of yesterday's protest, told Nampa that the protest was, amongst several other issues, against pricey pre-paid water meters that were installed without community consultations.
The installation of a water meter is priced at N$2 500 per person, plus N$833 for the card needed to purchase water, the demonstrators stated.
The petition handed over yesterday also took issue with firefighting fees and local authority rates and taxes.
It says further the council “failed to improve the road infrastructure in our township”, despite two bank accounts that were opened, allegedly for this purpose, and the amount of money for road infrastructure repairs and upgrades announced on the radio.
Another issue listed in the petition is failure to collect refuse and the failure to provide and upgrade storm drainage systems.
Nampa reported over the weekend that another issue that raised the ire of Katima Mulilo residents was an agreement between the town council and a Walvis Bay businessman for the delivery of dustbins, which is now being questioned.
Liswaniso told Nampa with regard to the complaints about the price of pre-paid meters, the whole package costs N$2 500, which residents can settle in three instalments of N$833 per month.
He added residents are not required to pay for the card, but once they pay the first instalment, they are issued with it, which enables them to purchase water.
“In any market people will always find different prices for the same product, but the product might differ because of quality,” he stressed.
Nampa reported with regard to the dustbins, Liswaniso said the offer was approved and the supplier was given 20 days to deliver.
After he failed to deliver, he was given an extension until February 2018, which he again failed to adhere by.
This resulted in the cancellation of that offer, Nampa reported.
Liswaniso emphasised that a total of N$57 million in outstanding water bills is owed to the town council.
JANA-MARI SMITH
The demonstration took place less than a month after a previous protest highlighted similar grievances, and also called for local councillors and Katima Mulilo CEO Raphael Liswaniso to be removed from their posts.
Liswaniso told Namibian Sun yesterday the allegations contained in the petition are “devoid of truth” and accused the protesters of being misled and misinformed on many of the issues contained in their petition.
He stressed he has been in the position of CEO since last August and was himself intent on rooting out all corrupt practices at the town council.
“There are people who are scared of the current CEO, because I am here to expose corrupt activities. I won't stop. Those who are scared are confusing people and giving them the wrong information. I am here to ensure that public funds are spent correctly and that these funds benefit those in need,” Liswaniso said.
He further noted the town council will respond in full to all allegations contained in yesterday's petition.
The petition, among other accusations and demands, accused the local authority leadership of having “failed its own people” and alleged that the “town council has been captured” by a Chinese-owned company, A.B.C investments cc.
The petition listed 13 tenders allegedly awarded to the company over the past four years, including storm drainage construction jobs, water meter installations and cleaning and painting activities, among others.
The company is reportedly owned by Chinese businessman Quo Yun Hai.
The petition contains an urgent plea for urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga to visit the town in person to review the grievances put on the table.
The protesters are demanding further that all Swapo councillors be recalled by the party's secretary general, based on accusations that include illegal house demolitions, ignoring public procurement regulations and not working in the interest of the local residents.
They further demanded that Liswaniso be forced to resign with “immediate effect” as “he is incapable” of carrying out his mandate.
These demands and accusations reflect similar demands made in a protest last month.
On Sunday, Fabian Sampaya, one of the organisers of yesterday's protest, told Nampa that the protest was, amongst several other issues, against pricey pre-paid water meters that were installed without community consultations.
The installation of a water meter is priced at N$2 500 per person, plus N$833 for the card needed to purchase water, the demonstrators stated.
The petition handed over yesterday also took issue with firefighting fees and local authority rates and taxes.
It says further the council “failed to improve the road infrastructure in our township”, despite two bank accounts that were opened, allegedly for this purpose, and the amount of money for road infrastructure repairs and upgrades announced on the radio.
Another issue listed in the petition is failure to collect refuse and the failure to provide and upgrade storm drainage systems.
Nampa reported over the weekend that another issue that raised the ire of Katima Mulilo residents was an agreement between the town council and a Walvis Bay businessman for the delivery of dustbins, which is now being questioned.
Liswaniso told Nampa with regard to the complaints about the price of pre-paid meters, the whole package costs N$2 500, which residents can settle in three instalments of N$833 per month.
He added residents are not required to pay for the card, but once they pay the first instalment, they are issued with it, which enables them to purchase water.
“In any market people will always find different prices for the same product, but the product might differ because of quality,” he stressed.
Nampa reported with regard to the dustbins, Liswaniso said the offer was approved and the supplier was given 20 days to deliver.
After he failed to deliver, he was given an extension until February 2018, which he again failed to adhere by.
This resulted in the cancellation of that offer, Nampa reported.
Liswaniso emphasised that a total of N$57 million in outstanding water bills is owed to the town council.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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