LPM accuses Sankwasa of unlawful interference
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) held a press conference in Windhoek on Monday where the party accused the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, of overreach and political interference in local government affairs.
LPM operative secretary Dawid Eigub alleged that Minister Sankwasa is abusing Section 92 of the Local Authorities Act to unlawfully interfere with municipal councils, particularly targeting Keetmanshoop.
Eigub claimed that the minister is bypassing legal procedures and acting without evidence.
“We have watched with growing outrage as Sankwasa shamelessly twists and abuses the law to justify grabbing power that does not belong to him,” Eigub said. “He believes he can dissolve councils at will, without evidence or due process. That’s not law, it’s authoritarianism.”
At the heart of the dispute is Section 92, which permits ministerial intervention under specific legal conditions—conditions Eigub argues have not been met.
Addressing media reports about a financial crisis at the Keetmanshoop Municipality, Eigub rejected claims that current LPM councillors are to blame.
He said the N$77 million deficit cited in recent reports was inherited from a previous administration and is clearly detailed in the municipality’s audit report.
“We won’t allow this narrative to scapegoat those working to clean up the mess. The facts are clear. The audit report speaks for itself,” he said.
Eigub also criticised what he described as “cheap sensationalism” in the media, urging the public to scrutinise financial documents rather than rely on headlines.
LPM operative secretary Dawid Eigub alleged that Minister Sankwasa is abusing Section 92 of the Local Authorities Act to unlawfully interfere with municipal councils, particularly targeting Keetmanshoop.
Eigub claimed that the minister is bypassing legal procedures and acting without evidence.
“We have watched with growing outrage as Sankwasa shamelessly twists and abuses the law to justify grabbing power that does not belong to him,” Eigub said. “He believes he can dissolve councils at will, without evidence or due process. That’s not law, it’s authoritarianism.”
At the heart of the dispute is Section 92, which permits ministerial intervention under specific legal conditions—conditions Eigub argues have not been met.
Addressing media reports about a financial crisis at the Keetmanshoop Municipality, Eigub rejected claims that current LPM councillors are to blame.
He said the N$77 million deficit cited in recent reports was inherited from a previous administration and is clearly detailed in the municipality’s audit report.
“We won’t allow this narrative to scapegoat those working to clean up the mess. The facts are clear. The audit report speaks for itself,” he said.
Eigub also criticised what he described as “cheap sensationalism” in the media, urging the public to scrutinise financial documents rather than rely on headlines.
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