KEETMANSHOOP - //Kharas Regional Council chairperson Joseph Isaacks said the arrest and detention of the Karasburg mayor, chairperson of the management committee and acting chief executive officer (CEO) by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is illegal.

On Tuesday, Isaacks, representing the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), called for the charges to be dropped, saying they are not applicable to the conduct of the accused individuals.

He accused urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni of giving instructions to the law-enforcement officers to carry out the said arrests.

“Despite being credibly informed about the state of affairs when visiting the Karasburg Town Council during the first week of September 2023, the ACC officials returned to the town on 02 October 2023 with a massive police presence and effected the arrests of the trio,” said Isaacks. 

Karasburg mayor Maria Veldskoen, chairperson of the management committee Franciskus Skeyer and acting CEO Hansina Isaacks were arrested on Monday.

They appeared in the Karasburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where their case was postponed to today for them to lodge formal bail applications.

They were charged under the Anti-Corruption Act for corruptly using their office or position for gratification, and conspiring to commit offences.

Commenting on the claims that the councillors modified the signatories on the town council’s bank accounts, Isaacks said the chairperson stated that the acting accountant refused to make any payments that were ordered by the mayor.

On the allegations of the illegal appointment of a personal assistant to the mayor as well as appointing a staff member from the Keetmanshoop Municipality as acting CEO, Isaacks said these are devoid of all truth. 

He said the appointments were carried out through approved council resolutions. 

“As a juristic body, the town council, and not the mayor, appoints a staff member in the office of the chief executive officer and personal assistant to the office of the mayor on a temporary basis,” continued Isaacks. 

According to him, Uutoni’s illegal actions will thus cost government millions as the LPM will institute legal proceedings against the “illegal and malicious” arrests, which were done with the intent to discredit the council and its councillors. 

“The council never conspired, as the charges read, neither did the mayor abuse her powers. There is also no criminal element in the conduct of the town council,’’ emphasised Isaacks. 

He said in terms of legal procedures and requirements, the Office of the Prosecutor General should first be approached for legal advice when politicians are involved before prosecution can take place, which was not the case in this matter. -Additional reporting by Nampa.

- sklukowski@nepc.com.na