LPM must reinstate Mariental councillors

JEMIMA BEUKES WINDHOEKThe Landless People’s Movement (LPM) is yet to decide whether it will appeal a High Court Order that says it must reinstate Dawid Gariseb and Rogetha Haak, the two Mariental municipality councillors the party recalled in March.This decision - which sparked outcry and saw the town’s residents demonstrating in protest - was declared null and void by the High Court on Friday.Yesterday, LPM spokesperson Eneas Envula said they are fully aware of the court’s pronouncements, and are not surprised of the outcome.“We are not surprised or shocked; I mean, we suspended them, but this is really a matter that we must respond to at the right time,” he said. AggrievedGariseb, former chair of the management committee, and Haak, who served as an ordinary member of the committee, were suspended and recalled for allegedly being in cahoots with Swapo councillors at the town. The duo, who has also threatened in the past to report LPM to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), are represented by lawyer Richard Metcalfe.Through their lawyer, they claimed that the Mariental mayor Adam Kuhlman, who is reportedly LPM leader Bernadus Swartbooi’s half-brother, wanted to appoint his nephew as his personal assistant (PA).“The above facts clearly sail into the realms of corruption. The mayor was requested by the other council members to recuse himself when the appointment of his PA was raised in the Mariental town council. He refused to recuse himself and insisted on the corrupt appointment of his nephew, Mr Anwar Thomas,” said Metcalfe when he first wrote to LPM in March.The duo also accused the party of dealing with them arbitrarily and denying them a fair opportunity to defend themselves at a disciplinary hearing.jemima@namibiansun.com

LPM must reinstate Mariental councillors

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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LPM must reinstate Mariental councillors

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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