William Mbangula Oshakati Following infighting and endless squabbling among members of the Steering Committee of the Ondangwa Trade Fair (OTF), the event has now been suspended until further notice. The imminent cancellation of the annual event, which was due to be held for the second time this year was confirmed to New Era by the OTF Secretary, Dr Gabriel Uahengo. It appears the Mayor of Ondangwa, Priscilla Kauna Nashandi, who was at the centre of accusations of cheating and mismanagement, has given in to pressure from the disgruntled members of the Steering committee, the local community and Ondangwa Town Council (OTC). The mayor found herself isolated after OTC withdrew logistical support to the OTF. Last year it used close to N$66ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 to support the historical event in Ondangwa. Again the Steering Committee under Nashandi could have found itself in financial difficulties after more than N$180ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 left over from last year’s budget was frozen in Standard Bank until the resolution of the matter. But the last straw could have been the legal action taken by members of the Steering Committee and shareholders. Nashandi was then given until April 19, 2007 to resign or face an application for her removal or an interdict in terms of which she would be prevented from dealing with the affairs of the Trade Fair. Nashandi is accused of having betrayed the Town Council which she was supposed to represent at the Ondangwa Trade Fair in her capacity as the first citizen of the town. Instead, she allegedly went ahead to represent her personal interests in which she registered the OTF as a close corporation, with herself as the holder of 55 percent shares, while this was not possible if the Ondangwa Town Council is to become a member as agreed on March 14, 2006. In terms of this agreement, the local authority would have 55 percent shares while the business community would have 45 percent. Among the accusations made against the embattled mayor is the fact that she has spearheaded questionable payments such as N$36ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 to the Dogg music band, N$33ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 850 for the installation of electrical facilities which could have been obtained at the cheaper price of N$29ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 and such facilities could have remained the property of the Fair. Another mysterious payment is related to N$1ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 500 to her husband, Sackaria Nashandi. OTF secretary Uahengo, who is very close to the embattled mayor, admitted that the event had been postponed due to the ongoing squabbles. He said “It is postponed because of the misunderstanding which is currently prevailing. The Steering Committee came to the conclusion that the current environment was not appropriate and conducive for conducting the trade fair. It decided to suspend all activities until the matter has been resolved.” Members of the first Steering Committee were: Paulina Nangula Paulus, Ndangi Shipanga, Theodor Amkongo, Maria Kapia, Arno Berti, Vilho Kalambi, Priskilla Kauna Nashandi, Lydia Mulunga and Sackaria Nashandi. Everything appeared to be functioning smoothly until after the event which was held from 26 to 30 April 2006 when infighting started among the shareholders following accusations of cheating and mismanagement levelled against the Mayor and her supporters. This resulted in disunity amongst the Ondangwa town councillors and the entire community, with some supporting the mayor while others were on the side of Deputy Mayor Naftali Andimba. Disgruntled members are, among others, Theodor Tonata Amkongo, Magano Maria Kapia, Sackeus Ndangi Shipanga, Paulina Nangula Paulus and Arno Deberti. At the moment new members of the Steering Committee have been appointed on the alleged recommendation of the Mayor to replace the disgruntled ones. The new members are: Abraham Kaushi, Arnold Betty, Penina Akudhenga, Magdalena Jesaya, Helena Nashandi and Lydia Mulunga. Last Saturday the Trade Fair launched a fund-raising campaign at the Ondangwa Town Hall. Participants in this event are, among others, the Mayor of Windhoek, Mathew Shikongo; Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Joel Kaapanda; Swapo veteran, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo; Vinson Hailulu, NHE CEO; Standard Bank Branch Manager, Ismael Hakaye; and Joseph Endjala, NCCI acting Chairman. Reliable sources in Ondangwa Town Council told New Era that the Mayor has taken, by force and without the permission of the Town Council, the Town Hall keys in order to use it for the fund-raising event.