Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni has denied claims his office has intentions to remove or suspend some members of the Windhoek city council.
“For all fairness, please go ask the councillors I summoned to the meeting on Wednesday if I have said that. Secondly, I did not receive the letter you are referring to, hence I cannot comment on something I did not read,” Uutoni told New Era yesterday. “But if the letter reaches my office, I will definitely respond to its demands,” he said.
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, through their lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, in a letter dated 11 August to Uutoni, asked if the minister has intentions to suspend the council. Windhoek mayor Job Amupanda demanded to know if the minister’s office intends to invoke Section 92 of the Local Authorities Act and, “whether your office is aware of the statements made by the Inspector General of the Namibian Police.”
Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga caused a stir on Wednesday while dispersing land grabbers in Otjomuise by threatening to run the council and bringing the councillors to order. “The fact that the statement of the Inspector General of the Namibia Police violates the Namibian constitution, as well as the Local Authorities Act 23 of 1992 is obvious for all to see.
However, it is our instructions that those statements are made in a context whereby members of Swapo who act as members of the municipal council of Windhoek have on various occasions demonstrated their desire to frustrate the activities of the council, so as to cultivate and develop a ripe environment for your office to evoke the powers captured in section 92 of the Local Authorities Act,” reads the letter.
Swapo councillor Fransina Kahungu said the minister only requested the council to update him on the land invasion happening in Windhoek.
“The minister did not say anything about taking over the council. He only requested a proper update on what is happening,” said Kahungu. Deputy mayor Clemencia Hanases said she did not attend the meeting as she was on sick leave.
ljason@nepc.com.na