Africa-Press – Namibia. The Katima Mulilo Town Council has come out blazing against Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa, accusing him of having gone on a “personal campaign of deceit”.
The council issued a robust response to Sankwasa, with mayor John Ntemwa reaffirming the council’s constitutional mandate, developmental achievements, and commitment to good governance.
In a detailed press statement released yesterday, Ntemwa highlighted not only the town’s significant milestones under the seventh council but also expressed deep concern over what he described as “unfounded, divisive and politically motivated attacks” by Sankwasa.
This comes after certain councillors at the town council involved themselves in deals to exchange land for vehicles.
From the council’s vantage point, Sankwasa is a “bitter man”.
Ntemwa accused Sankwasa of having a personal grudge against the town council due to past encounters where “he represented employees in legal matters against the council – cases which he lost”.
“These same individuals now act as his informants,” Ntemwa added.
Speaking specifically about the issue of exchanging vehicles for land, he said, “Council procured eight vehicles through the Developer-Client initiative. The initiative undertaken by the council, although tainted by Sankwasa as having been achieved through an illegal transaction, has significantly improved service delivery within the town of Katima Mulilo”.
He stressed that Sankwasa “lied by claiming the land was worth N$50 million. The land is unserviced, unvalued and lies within a perennial floodplain, making such valuation unrealistic and unsubstantiated”.
Ntemwa added that the town council negotiated a N$30 million riverside resort development, which will create over 300 jobs during construction and 200 full-time jobs once construction is completed.
The council has estimated an annual revenue of N$3.6 million in rates and taxes.
The Katima major further alleged that since assuming office, “Sankwasa has used his ministerial authority to direct council decisions in a personal campaign of deceit. When his directives fail, he reverts to threats”.
Regarding the Katima Mulilo Sports Complex, Ntemwa stated that the minister deliberately misrepresented facts, “falsely claiming it had been sold. The truth is that KMTC donated 17 hectares of land to the Ministry of Youth, valued at N$8.5 million. The sports complex remains intact. Would the council have made such a donation if the intention was to sell?” questioned the Katima mayor.
Ntemwa is also of the opinion that Sankwasa’s “repeated public embarrassment and humiliation of elected councillors and officials is behaviour unbecoming of a leader”.
He said the Katima council remains firm in its mission to develop the town inclusively and transparently.
He assured residents of its “unwavering dedication to lawful governance, truth and equitable service delivery”.
To this, Sankwasa warned that those responsible for the controversial deal will be held accountable.
Achievements
“The council has delivered beyond expectations, with tangible achievements in infrastructure, service delivery and financial stability. We owe it to our residents to continue building – not tearing down – this momentum,” said Ntemwa.
Among the council’s major achievements, the mayor noted the clearing of over N$140 million in liabilities and the settlement of a N$64 million NamWater debt.
The rehabilitation of key roads and sewer infrastructure, all from internally generated resources, is among the successes to boast about, the politician noted.
“We’ve built roads, upgraded stormwater systems and secured over N$491 million for a modern sewer treatment plant. This isn’t talk – it’s real work for real people,” Ntemwa said.
He pointed to strategic partnerships with institutions such as the University of Namibia, MTC and the Roads Authority, which have paved the way for service delivery enhancements, including free Wi-Fi zones, new housing units and upgraded informal settlements.
At the heart of the brouhaha between the council and the line minister is the exchange of land with two SUV vehicles, two new quad bikes, three second-hand quad bikes, a survey drone and two quality laptops.
But alongside the success stories, KMTC is battling what it describes as “unlawful and disruptive interference” from Sankwasa.
“It is deeply disturbing that a sitting minister would make tribal and politically inflammatory remarks like ‘Masubia councillors must go’. Such rhetoric not only undermines our democracy but also threatens national unity,” said Ntemwa.
The council also condemned what it called “abuse of office” by Sankwasa, accusing him of pushing a personal agenda to remove elected Masubia councillors and replace them with loyalists.
The mayor described this as a blatant effort to “reverse democratic gains through administrative manipulation”.
Ntemwa directly addressed claims made by the minister on television and social media, including the allegation that the council sold the town’s sport complex.
“The sport field remains under the ownership of the ministry of youth, sport and culture. No sale took place, and no valuation was conducted. Claims of it being worth N$50 million are baseless and misleading,” he said.
Threat
Ntemwa said Sankwasa has threatened to downgrade Katima Mulilo to a village council, a move the council says would cripple service delivery and development prospects.
“Downgrading Katima Mulilo is not only irrational but reckless. It would harm our residents, stall investments and erode progress achieved over years of hard work,” said the mayor.
Despite the political tensions, the council said it remains focused on its development agenda, with projects like the construction of over 2 000 new housing units, revitalisation of the CBD, and massive sewer upgrades still underway.
“We were elected to serve, not to entertain distractions. We call on all residents and stakeholders to support development, not division,” Ntemwa stated.
The council urged the Office of the Prime Minister and relevant authorities to intervene and uphold democratic processes, emphasising that councillors are elected by the people, while ministers are appointed to serve, not override local governance.
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