Africa-Press – Namibia. Katima Mulilo – The sudden dissolution of the Katima Mulilo Town Council has sent mixed reactions through the community, drawing sharply contrasting responses from the town’s leadership.
Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa officially dissolved the council in a notice published in the Government Gazette on 15 August 2025.
Citing Section 92(2) of the Local Authorities Act of 1992, he declared that all council members were removed from office, with their powers and functions now vested in him.
The move comes after weeks of escalating tension between the ministry and the council.
The minister alleged governance failures, illegal land-for-goods transactions, ignored directives and unresolved labour disputes.
Katima Mulilo CEO Raphael Liswaniso said his office had not yet received any formal communication from the ministry regarding the dissolution. “I saw the gazette on social media,” he admitted.
“We haven’t received any official letter from the minister yet. Once that letter comes, it will guide us on what needs to be done next. For now, I am just like everyone else. What you saw is what I saw,” he said.
Pressed on the immediate implications of a council-wide dismissal, Liswaniso refused to speculate.
“Until I receive official directions, I cannot comment. The formal notice will outline the procedures to follow,” he added, signaling a wait-and-see approach.
Mayor hits back
In sharp contrast, Katima Mulilo mayor John Ntemwa yesterday launched a blistering attack on the minister’s decision, calling it “administratively reckless” and “a reflection of poor leadership”. “We only came across the gazette through social media,” he said.
“Sankwasa’s decision to recall KMTC councillors is reckless. He was simply eager to remove us, as he had promised, once rumours surfaced that he might be appointed as minister,” Ntemwa charged.
He accused Sankwasa of reversing a process already approved by his predecessor regarding a disputed riverbed plot, insisting that statutory procedures such as planning, surveying and an environmental impact assessment (EIA) had been sanctioned before any sale could proceed.
“We have all the letters confirming this, but Sankwasa chose to ignore them despite us forwarding everything to him,” Ntemwa stressed.
He further alleged that the minister avoided formal engagement with councillors, accusing him of turning a blind eye to unapproved construction projects in Bukalo because the developers were allegedly connected to him.
“Meanwhile, there are two buildings under construction in Bukalo without ministerial approval, yet because the developers are related to him, he remains silent,” the mayor charged.
“He must understand that what goes around comes around. Good luck to him,” Ntemwa reacted.
Town in limbo
The dissolution leaves Katima Mulilo in a state of uncertainty.
While the CEO waits for formal directives to chart the administrative way forward, the mayor has taken a confrontational stance, framing the dissolution as politically motivated and unjust.
As residents await clarity on who will run the town’s day-to-day affairs, the divide between the cautious bureaucracy and political confrontation reflects the deepening governance crisis in Katima Mulilo.
The fate of the KMTC has taken another dramatic turn after the minister dissolved the council.
The dissolution of the council effectively halts the much-anticipated fourth ordinary council meeting, which was scheduled for today. The notice, issued on 18 August 2025 by Liswaniso, had invited councillors, management and the public for deliberations in line with the Local Authorities Act, 23 of 1992, Section 14 (1), as amended.
The agenda, which appeared routine, included adoption of the agenda, confirmation of previous minutes, applications for leave of absence and management committee reports. Several items, such as petitions, motions and deputations, were listed as ‘None’, signalling what was expected to be a procedural sitting rather than a heated debate.
This decision effectively strips councillors of their decision-making powers, leaving the administration under the guidance of the CEO and ministry-appointed structures until further notice.
The dissolution raises uncertainty about pending matters, including service delivery issues, land administration concerns and community petitions that were expected to come before the council in future sittings.
Sankwasa is expected to address the Katima Mulilo business fraternity as well as the entire community on various pressing issues tomorrow at the town.
Community reacts
Meanwhile, the dissolution of the council was met with celebration by residents, who say the move restores accountability after years of alleged maladministration.
One such resident is Uys Manyando, who commended the minister for acting on longstanding public grievances.
“We want to commend honourable Sankwasa. He has done great within his mandate. The residents at large are quite happy with the situation on the ground,” he remarked.Manyando, who was one of the organisers during a demonstration last month, revealed that community leaders submitted a follow-up letter to the minister on 29 July.
They urged him to respond to their demands for stronger governance and transparency in council operations.
His sentiments were echoed by Prince Musweu, national coordinator for the National Democratic Party.
He described the dissolution as a stumbling block to development.
“The KMTC was like a cancer to this town. There have been so many reports of maladministration and corruption. This decision is just good news to us,” Musweu said. Last month, Katima Mulilo residents submitted a petition to the town council’s deputy mayor Lasken Sikosi, accusing the council of gross misconduct, particularly in land administration.
The petition alleged that the council awarded land through private treaties without competitive bidding or public consultation.
The demonstrators further alleged that favoured councillors’ associates and foreign entities, especially Chinese-owned Wenxi Investments CC, reportedly received tenders and plots without due process.
They said the council enabled individuals, particularly foreigners, to amass large tracts of commercial land by bartering small residential plots.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
