Africa-Press – Namibia. In a swift turn of events this week, Walvis Bay councillor Albertina Nkosi expressed dissatisfaction with mayor Trevino Forbes’ claims that the municipality was under siege from internal saboteurs.
Forbes, while addressing an Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) press conference recently, alleged that there was political sabotage at one of the country’s biggest local authorities.
He threatened that whoever is found wanting would be dealt with “decisively”.
Service delivery, road infrastructure and refuse removal have been a bone of contention for residents due to the status of the town.
Forbes’ remarks did not sit well with Nkosi.
Walvis Bay had been without a substantive CEO for almost four years, until Victoria Kapenda was appointed in September last year.
Nkosi said as a result of Forbes’ comments, the town’s CEO has been receiving threats and derogatory remarks.
Forbes was expected to withdraw his statement on Monday, but only clarified it.
Nkosi said Forbes did not address the core issue, as she believes the CEO was attacked by the community of Walvis Bay due to the mayor’s statement during the IPC press conference.
“Her parents were attacked. We have a lot of videos showing these attacks were made by IPC politicians,” Nkosi said.
New Era understands that Kapenda lodged an official complaint with the council over the statement made at the political press conference.
It is further understood that deputy mayor Saara Mutondoka made some remarks regarding the matter in videos that have been circulated over social media.
Hence, councillors met prior to the budget meeting to deliberate on the issue.
The deputy mayor was expected to withdraw her statements, but did not attend the meeting.
Meanwhile, councillor Ryan Gordon, shortly after the meeting, confirmed that the special council meeting held on Friday was indeed the reason why they held the press conference.
“Only one recommendation was executed. There were statements made previously that made the CEO unhappy,” he said.
Another councillor, Ephraim Shozi, added that the CEO’s complaint was genuine.
“She laid the complaint. We needed to hear her concerns. One of the recommendations was for them to apologise and withdraw the statements they made against the institution at a political press conference. One part of that was done, but it was not clearly carried out as per the resolutions taken on Friday,” he added.
During the press conference, Forbes admitted that his earlier statement – where he said that there are elements of sabotage within the municipality of Walvis Bay – might have been misinterpreted.
“Something is wrong. It’s political sabotage within the institution. We are going to deal with it decisively,” he said a fortnight ago.
Forbes had in the past called out the administration for not carrying out resolutions taken by the council.
He stated that some are politically-aligned, and being used to sabotage the council’s efforts.
“Somehow, it did not have the desired effect we wanted. Certain individuals were targeted. That is not what we wanted. We don’t just say things out of the blue. I would also like to make it clear that there is a mentality that we are being personal, which is very, very unfair. Our current CEO has been doing a brilliant job since she joined this council,” he said during the conference.
Forbes said the absence of a CEO made councillors vulnerable to attacks on social media prior to her appointment.
“It is only fair to reflect on my conduct,” he said.
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