WINDHOEK – The Okahandja Town Council is still without a mayor,
a deputy mayor and chairperson of the management committee, despite the gazetting of councillors on Friday.
According to sources at the town, information about who will fill the three top positions is still sketchy after the positions were nullified last month by the
Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural and Housing (Rtd) Charles Namoloh due to the unprocedural manner in which the incumbents were elected.
It is not clear whether Vallery Aron, who was sworn-in as mayor of the town last
December, with Nicklaas Steenkamp and Computer Mieze as deputy mayor and chairperson of the management committee respectively, would be reappointed into the positions. However, according to a source at the town, former Mayor Dawid Urikhob was summoned to the Swapo Party headquarters recently and asked to withdraw his resignation. Urikhob’s hasty resignation last December sent shockwaves through the town council after
he was demoted to deputy mayor and Aron was appointed the new mayor.
When approached for comment, Urikhob said he was unaware of developments at the council and he also denied that he was approached to withdraw his resignation. But sources in the municipality maintain that the former mayor is only denying, due to intense media interest.
Councillors at the town have been serving without portfolio since the nullification and would
only be sworn-in after elections facilitated by the municipality’s CEO, Frans Enkali
take place. In the meantime, the councillors have been directed to elect a chairperson for a meeting
if there’s an urgent need to meet.
The Okahandja municipality has been marred by a protracted and fierce power struggle in the top echelons of the town’s political leadership and management. Reports include allegations and counter-allegations of backbiting, abuse of
power, conflict of interest and nepotism, which have become regular fare for the media during the past two years.
By Magreth Nunuhe