SWAKOPMUND – Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) president Samuel !Oë-Amseb has reignited the debate around the recognition and treatment of local authority councillors, calling for them to be granted VIP status like national and regional leaders.
He made this call during the ALAN conference held last week in Swakopmund.
!Oë-Amseb said councillors continue to serve their communities with dedication and commitment, despite harsh working conditions and a lack of privileges.
Local authority councillors are the most committed, dedicated and hardworking elected servants of the people, he stated.
ALAN will thus not rest until local authorities are given their rightful place in Namibia’s political structure. He insisted that councillors should be treated with the same dignity as members of the National Assembly and regional councils.
“ALAN will not go to sleep until local authorities are accorded their rightful place in the political hierarchy of Namibia. The local authority councillors must be treated fairly and decently as elected politicians under the same laws as regional and National Assembly representatives,” !Oë-Amseb said.
He added that they are campaigning with the same people, and stressed that vehicles used by local authority councillors must, without delay, be accorded VIP status.
“We are tired of being stopped on the roads by those who have the power to do so,” he said.
“This privilege must also be extended to CEOs, as the accounting officers of local authorities,” he stressed.
He then appealed for the support of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) to make this request a reality.
Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango supported his president’s call, saying mayors are not happy because at national events and when they are travelling on official duty, they are often pulled aside by security personnel due to the absence of VIP stickers on their vehicles.
“We want VIP stickers on our vehicles. We shall fight for that recognition,” Hango said.
However, the statements evoked mixed feelings among councillors attending the convention. Omaruru Constituency Councillor Erenst Wetha indicated that the fact that regional councillors already have VIP status does not help much.
“We understand that the VIP diplomatic passport will be coming to an end. So from my side, let them advocate, but this is not the right platform. All key players should be involved in debating the matter,” he said.
Walvis Bay Rural Constituency Councillor Florian Donatus likewise felt that VIP stickers don’t help much, as local police officers continue harassing councillors.
“Except for major roadblocks such as Okahandja, Oshivelo, Ongwediva and those in the Kavango regions, I don’t think it’s a real problem. Sometimes, it even creates unnecessary delays at airports when councillors are travelling. All public office-bearers should be treated the same,” he reasoned.
Conversely, former local authority councillor Romeo Goseb said there is no need for local and regional councillors to be granted such high-level clearance.
“Other than the mayor, councillors should not receive such honours. It has been proven that most councillors aren’t even known by the communities they serve. Therefore, I think it’s a total waste of energy and resources,” he emphasised.
Some councillors agreed with Goseb, stating that while VIP status could smoothen international travel, it might create the impression that councillors are above or better than the community.
“We already have some councillors who are not in touch with the communities they serve, and getting VIP stickers might broaden the gap and cause a complete breakdown of communication between councillors and residents,” one councillor said.
However, she emphasised that proper consultations should be done to determine whether this is necessary, as it could escalate the abuse of power in public spaces.
Omaruru mayor Vincent Kahu, however, supported the idea, stating that it is long-overdue.
“This has already been implemented in other countries,” he said.
Walvis Bay councillor Richard Hoaeb, on his part, said the dynamics and functions are not the same, and local authority councillors cannot be compared to ministers or even mayors.
“We cannot have the same perks, as our duties are also not the same. Local councillors are rotated annually, which makes VIP status a bit complex,” he added.
“We have different roles, and our dynamics are different. While the VIP status might work internationally, it’s not advisable locally, as it could lead to abuse of power,” Hoaeb said.
Walvis Bay deputy mayor Saara Mutondoka said she believes in principle over privilege.
“No one is above the law—be it mayor or minister. That status should only be accorded to emergency services’ providers,” she stressed.
– edeklerk@nepc.com.na