Reho council to turn to court
The people of Rehoboth want the High Court to order the removal of the town's Swapo council.
Rehoboth residents plan to apply for an urgent interdict to compel the minister of urban and rural development, Sophia Shaningwa, to remove the town's Swapo councillors and the municipality's human resources manager, Willie Swartz.
United People's Movement (UPM) member of parliament Jan van Wyk yesterday told Namibian Sun that the Swapo councillors would also be held responsible for allegedly illegal salary payments made to Swartz.
A forensic investigation into the town's affairs from 13 to 15 January 2016 concluded that Swartz's reappointment in December 2015 was illegal.
Firebrand community activist Abes Kaibeb says they will not wait for the court case to take place and will take action in the meantime.
“We are meeting with the Rehoboth community on Sunday at the community hall to discuss serious action that will compel the minister to take action. We have been waiting for long and must now put pressure on the political leadership to address this issue,” said Khaibeb.
He added that they were also considering legal action against individual Swapo members for the alleged mismanagement of tax dollars.
This follows what the community described as “empty promises” by Shaningwa. In December the minister had threatened to dissolve the entire council should they fail to implement resolutions which included Swartz's removal.
But despite the council's failure to implement these resolutions or to adhere to a legal opinion last month, the minister has not yet taken any action.
The community's decision to turn to the High Court was prompted by the town's skyrocketing water and electricity debts and the state of public infrastructure, including a broken-down sewerage system.
The town owes NamWater N$29 million and needs to pay about N$2.5 million for a month's water supply, 40% of which is lost to burst pipes.
It further owes NamPower N$36 million for electricity, of which N$28 million is overdue for payment.
JEMIMA BEUKES
United People's Movement (UPM) member of parliament Jan van Wyk yesterday told Namibian Sun that the Swapo councillors would also be held responsible for allegedly illegal salary payments made to Swartz.
A forensic investigation into the town's affairs from 13 to 15 January 2016 concluded that Swartz's reappointment in December 2015 was illegal.
Firebrand community activist Abes Kaibeb says they will not wait for the court case to take place and will take action in the meantime.
“We are meeting with the Rehoboth community on Sunday at the community hall to discuss serious action that will compel the minister to take action. We have been waiting for long and must now put pressure on the political leadership to address this issue,” said Khaibeb.
He added that they were also considering legal action against individual Swapo members for the alleged mismanagement of tax dollars.
This follows what the community described as “empty promises” by Shaningwa. In December the minister had threatened to dissolve the entire council should they fail to implement resolutions which included Swartz's removal.
But despite the council's failure to implement these resolutions or to adhere to a legal opinion last month, the minister has not yet taken any action.
The community's decision to turn to the High Court was prompted by the town's skyrocketing water and electricity debts and the state of public infrastructure, including a broken-down sewerage system.
The town owes NamWater N$29 million and needs to pay about N$2.5 million for a month's water supply, 40% of which is lost to burst pipes.
It further owes NamPower N$36 million for electricity, of which N$28 million is overdue for payment.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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