By William Mbangula Oshakati The mayor of Ondangwa Priscilla Kauna Nashandi failed to retain her seat following endless squabbling when the Ondangwa Town Council elected office-bearers last Friday. She has been replaced by her former deputy Naftali Andimba. Lettie Tuutaleni is now the deputy mayor. Ronnie Negonga retained his position as chairperson of the management committee, deputised by Sam Nangolo. Other members of the management committee are Saima Namukwambi and Peter Shituula. Former mayor Nashandi is now an ordinary member of the council. The controversial Nashandi was recently at the centre of accusations of cheating and mismanagement with regard to the Ondangwa Trade Fair (OTF). She found herself in hot water after she sidelined the council in the OTF by taking 55 percent shares of the scheme for herself instead of representing the local authority as first citizen of the town in terms of an agreement on March 14, 2006. She allegedly facilitated questionable payments to among others the Dogg music band (N$36 000) and for the installation of electrical facilities (N$33 850) which could have been obtained cheaper at N$29 000. The facilities could have remained the property of the fair. Another mysterious payment relates to N$1 500 to her husband Sackaria Nashandi. Consequently, the infighting resulted in the annual event, which was only to be held for the second time in Ondangwa’s history, being cancelled. The fair found itself without money. A balance of N$180 000 from last year’s budget was frozen at Standard Bank. The Ondangwa Town Council withdrew its logistical support which last year amounted to about N$70 000. Legal action was instituted against Nashandi who was given a deadline of April 19, 2007 to resign. The case is said to have divided councillors and the community in Ondangwa, with some supporting Nashandi while others were on the side of Andimba. Other towns that conducted elections last Friday are Ongwediva, Helao Nafidi and Outapi. In Ongwediva, Erastus Uutoni and Patricia Kashuupulwa retained their positions as mayor and deputy mayor respectively. Members of the management committee (MC) are Angelina Angula as chairperson, Jason Asino as deputy chairperson and Maria Kavalela as MC member. Others are Julia Nepembe and Isaac Ndokosho. Outapi also retained its mayor Mathew Ndeshitila, deputised by Ndamona Hainyemba. MC chairperson is Simeon Kavila deputised by Loide Nehunga. Other office-bearers are Ignatius Mengela, Tobias Beata Kambishi and Johanna Haindongo (ordinary). The border town of Helao Nafidi also did not change its leadership. Incumbent mayor Medusalem Handjaba was re-elected together with his deputy Peter Karolissen. Oshakati and Eenhana as well as some village councils such as Ruacana, Oshikuku and Okahao are expected to elect their office-bearers on Monday, May 14.