Rundu shenanigans continue
Acting Rundu CEO Sikongo Haihambo says the town council's failure to elect a third member for its management committee is hindering effective service delivery.
Haihambo made the remark on Monday following an unsuccessful bid to swear in a third councillor to serve on the management committee, as required by the governing act.
The Rundu council's management committee should include technocrats (officials), as well as at least three councillors, excluding the mayor and deputy mayor. Swapo councillor Anastacia Shinduvi-Foya and All People's Party (APP) councillor Matheus Wakudumo were previously elected as members.
“It is going to make things go slow. You have an organ that has to filter through matters, scrutinise and add value before it is considered by council and that organ is not there,” he said.
Haihambo said he will have to seek advice from the line ministry in terms of what should happen next, saying that the issue is affecting the administration of the council.
The Rundu town council is faced with a number of challenges, including its inability to effectively collect refuse and keep the taps running at all times, due to a N$60 million water debt owed to NamWater.
Making serviced land available to residents is also a pressing issue.
Swapo councillor Ralph Ihemba was nominated by deputy mayor Toini Hausiku as the third member of the management committee, but he declined.
This resulted in the meeting being adjourned until further notice.
Ihemba, former mayor Verna Sinimbo and Rundu Concerned Citizens Association (RCCA) representative Reginald Ndara are eligible to fill the position.
Sinimbo could not be nominated yesterday as she was not present, while no one nominated Ndara.
The disunity among Swapo councillors emanated from a directive issued last year by party secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa, which was also endorsed by the politburo.
Shaningwa's directive was that no changes should be made to the then office-bearers structure.
She wanted Sinimbo to retain her mayoral chain, while it was expected that Ihemba would be retained as her deputy.
However, three Swapo councillors, newly elected mayor Isak Kandingu, Hausiku and Anastacia Shinduvi Antonio, refused to follow the directive. The saga was eventually defused by a meeting that included President Hage Geingob.
At the time Swapo's Okahandja councillors also defied Shaningwa's directive, which was also dealt with during the meeting at the party's headquarters in Windhoek.
When contacted for comment on Monday about what had transpired in Rundu that day, Swapo Kavango East regional coordinator Otillie Shinduvi said: “This is news to me, I can only comment once I have been informed. The council reports to the district and then they report to me.”
Lawyer Silas-Kishi Shakumu said the line minister ministry has the power to take legal action against any councillor who refuses to accept a nomination.
“The position on the management committee must, however, be filled soonest and if the members continue to refuse to avail themselves for service, the minister must step in and take the necessary legal action against such members in terms of section 13 of the Act,” Shakumu said.
He said the section gives the minister the option to request a political party to direct its members to serve on the management committee or face removal from the council.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Haihambo made the remark on Monday following an unsuccessful bid to swear in a third councillor to serve on the management committee, as required by the governing act.
The Rundu council's management committee should include technocrats (officials), as well as at least three councillors, excluding the mayor and deputy mayor. Swapo councillor Anastacia Shinduvi-Foya and All People's Party (APP) councillor Matheus Wakudumo were previously elected as members.
“It is going to make things go slow. You have an organ that has to filter through matters, scrutinise and add value before it is considered by council and that organ is not there,” he said.
Haihambo said he will have to seek advice from the line ministry in terms of what should happen next, saying that the issue is affecting the administration of the council.
The Rundu town council is faced with a number of challenges, including its inability to effectively collect refuse and keep the taps running at all times, due to a N$60 million water debt owed to NamWater.
Making serviced land available to residents is also a pressing issue.
Swapo councillor Ralph Ihemba was nominated by deputy mayor Toini Hausiku as the third member of the management committee, but he declined.
This resulted in the meeting being adjourned until further notice.
Ihemba, former mayor Verna Sinimbo and Rundu Concerned Citizens Association (RCCA) representative Reginald Ndara are eligible to fill the position.
Sinimbo could not be nominated yesterday as she was not present, while no one nominated Ndara.
The disunity among Swapo councillors emanated from a directive issued last year by party secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa, which was also endorsed by the politburo.
Shaningwa's directive was that no changes should be made to the then office-bearers structure.
She wanted Sinimbo to retain her mayoral chain, while it was expected that Ihemba would be retained as her deputy.
However, three Swapo councillors, newly elected mayor Isak Kandingu, Hausiku and Anastacia Shinduvi Antonio, refused to follow the directive. The saga was eventually defused by a meeting that included President Hage Geingob.
At the time Swapo's Okahandja councillors also defied Shaningwa's directive, which was also dealt with during the meeting at the party's headquarters in Windhoek.
When contacted for comment on Monday about what had transpired in Rundu that day, Swapo Kavango East regional coordinator Otillie Shinduvi said: “This is news to me, I can only comment once I have been informed. The council reports to the district and then they report to me.”
Lawyer Silas-Kishi Shakumu said the line minister ministry has the power to take legal action against any councillor who refuses to accept a nomination.
“The position on the management committee must, however, be filled soonest and if the members continue to refuse to avail themselves for service, the minister must step in and take the necessary legal action against such members in terms of section 13 of the Act,” Shakumu said.
He said the section gives the minister the option to request a political party to direct its members to serve on the management committee or face removal from the council.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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