Ungazetted councillors leave Oshakati in limbo

ILENI NANDJATOOSHAKATIThe Oshakati town council's operations face yet another speed bump, as some councillors are yet to be gazetted.Council cannot swear in new members until the urban and rural development ministry gazettes these councillors.This will also delay the process of recruiting a CEO to replace Werner Iita, who resigned after accepting nomination to stand as a Swapo candidate in last year's National Assembly election.Council plans to swear in Angelina Kamwanka to replace Katrina Shimbulu, as well as Onesmus Shilunga and Gabriel Kamwanka, who on 16 December boycotted the council's election of political office-bearers to protest Shimbulu's nomination. Also to be sworn in is Ndamononghenda Hamunyela, who for some reason has also not been gazetted. Cause of delay“In 2015, when the Oshakati town council submitted councillors' names to be gazetted, they did not provide names for those next in line and that is why they have to wait. Hamunyela has also been in the council while not gazetted,” a source said.When contacted for comment, acting CEO Helena Thomas confirmed the delay. She could however not say why Hamunyela had not previously been gazetted.Last month, the Swapo Politburo reversed a decision by the Swapo regional body to reinstate Shimbulu after she had resigned last October.The politburo added, however, that Shimbulu's actions during her term would not be reversed. Shimbulu has threatened to drag Swapo to court. The council, which is meant to consist of seven members, only boasts four. Mayor Angelius Iyambo, deputy mayor Hamunyela and Loise Shivolo make up the management committee, while Linus Tobias is an ordinary member.

Ungazetted councillors leave Oshakati in limbo

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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Ungazetted councillors leave Oshakati in limbo

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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