Imagine a town council plagued by corruption, favoritism, and mismanagement—a place where the very institutions meant to serve the people are instead exploiting them. This is the harsh reality facing Katima Mulilo, where a recent audit has exposed shocking irregularities that demand immediate attention.
Following the dismissal of councilors earlier this year, Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa shared the audit's findings with the community. The report paints a grim picture of governance failures, illegal land transactions, and unresolved labor disputes. But here's where it gets controversial: the audit revealed that no Chinese-owned business in Katima Mulilo had ever paid for water or electricity services, while residents faced disconnections for unpaid bills. Sankwasa highlighted the double standard, stating, 'One councilor owes N$50,000, another N$10,000, and another N$80,000, yet their water was never cut. But when residents don’t pay, their water is cut by RedForce.' This raises a critical question: Is this a systemic failure or a deliberate act of favoritism?
The minister didn’t stop there. He also exposed irregularities in the renovation of the town council’s guesthouse, where the final cost ballooned to N$2.8 million—nearly triple the original tender of N$1 million. And this is the part most people miss: the debt collection company RedForce, responsible for disconnecting residents’ services, operated without a formal contract with the council. 'How do you explain that?' Sankwasa asked, challenging the community to confront the deeper issues at play.
Land allocation practices came under scrutiny too, with a bold claim: plots were sold to Chinese nationals at prices significantly lower than those charged to local businesspeople. 'A local businessman paid N$800,000 for a plot of the same size,' Sankwasa noted, calling the practice 'unfair and unsustainable.' He also warned against the exploitation of Namibian women by foreigners seeking to acquire land through marriage, urging residents to 'protect our land and ourselves.'
Despite the challenges, Sankwasa announced a glimmer of hope: the government has allocated N$100 million for essential infrastructure projects in Nova, Makaravan, and other settlements. 'This is just the beginning,' he assured, promising that a contractor would be appointed by the end of the week. Residents in development areas were also guaranteed relocation rather than eviction, a move aimed at restoring trust in local governance.
As the town looks to the future, Sankwasa urged incoming councilors to prioritize integrity and service delivery. 'We want a council that is relevant and corruption-free,' he emphasized. But here’s a thought-provoking question for you: With council members from multiple parties, including Swapo, IPC, NDP, and PDM, involved in the mismanagement, is it fair to blame a single political party? Sankwasa challenged residents to reflect on their voting choices, stating, 'When things go wrong, let’s not blame Swapo but ourselves for not voting right.'
Looking ahead, Sankwasa encouraged informed decision-making in the upcoming elections. 'On November 27, make the right choice,' he urged, even suggesting that residents vote for the Swapo party to 'correct things the right way.' What do you think? Is this a call for unity or a controversial endorsement? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation about the future of Katima Mulilo.
