Africa-Press – Namibia. Lahja Nashuuta
OPUWO – Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has blocked funds meant for the Kunene Regional Council, demanding the removal of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb. It is a move described by the regional council’s chairperson and Opuwo Urban constituency councillor, Western Muharukua, as unlawful and an attempt to force the council to act against its will.
The dispute follows the council’s refusal to remove Kamseb, whose appointment has been challenged in court.
Explaining the matter, Muharukua said that in 2021, the Kunene Regional Council reinstated Kamseb as chief regional officer.
This decision was challenged in the High Court by the then minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni.
The court ruled in favour of the minister, prompting the council to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
Muharukua said that, according to legal principles, once an appeal is filed, the enforcement of the High Court judgement is suspended until the Supreme Court makes a final ruling. Despite this, he said, Sankwasa insisted that Kamseb be removed and has gone further by halting government funding to the council.
The council has expressed concern that capital projects could be paralysed and workers’ salaries disrupted if the minister continues to withhold funds.
Muharukua warned that the operations of the entire council would be severely affected.
“The operations of the Kunene Regional Council will be severely disrupted. Salaries, subsistence and travel (S&T) allowances, and daily subsistence allowances (DSAs) for staff across all seven constituencies will be affected, including those of four regional councillors who are not members of the National Council. The livelihoods of all those who depend on this income will be negatively impacted,” Muharukua lamented.
He further cautioned that “utility bills at various council offices may go unpaid, which could result in service providers cutting off essential services. Invoices from contractors who have already completed their projects will remain unsettled, while other capital projects in the region will come to a standstill”.
The minister also reportedly criticised the Kunene Regional Council, accusing it of operating outside the authority of the state and referring to it as a ‘private republic’.
In a letter addressed to the Kunene Regional Council and seen by New Era, Sankwasa wrote: “The ministry will not disburse any government money to the Kunene Regional Council”.
The letter further reads: “The executive director of the ministry is directed not to release any funds until the council appoints an acting chief regional officer or until the court delivers its final judgement”.
Muharukua
However, Muharukua rejected the minister’s actions, saying they go against the law and the Constitution.
“The minister is ignoring a well-known legal principle that an appeal suspends the execution of a judgement. His actions undermine our constitutional right to seek justice through the courts,” he said. He further described the withholding of funds as an abuse of power.
“This decision is not only unlawful, but it is clearly meant to pressure the council to withdraw its appeal. That is unacceptable in a democratic country,” Muharukua said.
He also responded to the minister’s remarks about the council.
“We are not, and have never been, a ‘private republic’. We are part of the Republic of Namibia and remain committed to serving our people within the law,” he said.
Allowances
The minister has also alleged that Kamseb has been unlawfully receiving daily subsistence allowances throughout the year while not reporting for duty. Muharukua dismissed these claims as false and misleading.
“Subsistence allowances are only paid when Kamseb is on official duty outside Opuwo and always in line with the rules,” he said.
He added that Kamseb continues to carry out his duties. “The chief regional officer is actively working, receiving official communication and performing his responsibilities. We challenge the minister to provide proof that he has been absent for 365 days,” Muharukua said.
Legal action
Muharukua said the council plans to take legal action against the minister’s directive.
“We will approach the High Court to review and set aside this decision. We are confident that the courts will rule that this action is unlawful and unconstitutional,” he said.
He stressed that the council remains committed to serving the people of Kunene.
“We will continue to do our work and cooperate with all state institutions. However, such cooperation must be based on respect for the rule of law, not intimidation or pressure,” he said.
Efforts to obtain comment from the minister were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
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