Corruption, favoritism, and mismanagement have long plagued the Katima Mulilo Town Council, but a recent audit has exposed shocking details that demand immediate attention. Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa shared the audit's findings with the community, revealing a pattern of governance failures that led to the council's dissolution on August 15, 2025. This move, announced in the Government Gazette, stripped all council members of their powers under Section 92(2) of the Local Authorities Act of 1992, placing authority directly in the minister's hands.
But here's where it gets controversial: the audit uncovered systemic issues, including allegations of illegal land-for-goods transactions, unresolved labor disputes, and blatant disregard for ministerial directives. One of the most startling revelations? No Chinese-owned business in Katima Mulilo had ever paid for water or electricity services—a situation Sankwasa deemed “completely unacceptable and unsustainable.” To illustrate the double standard, he pointed out that while councilors owed the town council substantial amounts (N$50,000, N$10,000, and N$80,000), their utilities were never disconnected. In stark contrast, ordinary residents faced immediate water cuts by RedForce for non-payment. “How can I, as a minister, ignore such blatant injustice?” Sankwasa challenged the audience.
And this is the part most people miss: the audit also exposed irregularities in the renovation of the council’s guesthouse. A tender initially valued at N$1 million ballooned to N$2.8 million upon completion—nearly triple the original cost. Adding to the controversy, the debt collection company RedForce, responsible for disconnecting residents’ utilities, operated without a formal contract with the council. “How did this happen?” Sankwasa questioned, inviting public scrutiny.
The minister didn’t stop there. He addressed unfair land allocation practices, revealing that Chinese nationals purchased plots for N$200,000 to N$300,000 less than local businesspeople. “A local paid N$800,000 for the same size plot,” he noted, calling the practice “unfair and unacceptable.” Sankwasa also warned against foreign nationals exploiting Namibian women through marriage solely to acquire land, urging residents to protect their interests.
Amid the turmoil, Sankwasa announced a glimmer of hope: a N$100 million government investment in water, electricity, sewer, and sanitation projects for Nova, Makaravan, and other settlements. “This is just the beginning,” he assured, with a contractor set to be appointed by Friday. He emphasized that residents in development areas would be relocated, not evicted, and urged incoming councilors to prioritize integrity and service delivery. “If you fail, you’ll have only yourselves to blame,” he warned.
Here’s where it gets thought-provoking: Sankwasa encouraged residents to vote wisely in the upcoming November 27 elections, urging them to support the Swapo Party even if they disagreed with individual candidates. “We need to correct things the right way,” he said. But this raises a question: Is party loyalty the solution, or does the issue run deeper? What do you think? Should residents hold individual councilors accountable, or is systemic reform the answer? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that drives real change.
