Africa-Press – Namibia. OMUTHIYA mayor, Johannes Ndeutepo on Tuesday allegedly refused to recuse himself from a council meeting discussing a motion of no confidence against him.
OMUTHIYA mayor, Johannes Ndeutepo on Tuesday allegedly refused to recuse himself from a council meeting discussing a motion of no confidence against him.
The motion was instituted by deputy mayor Petrina Shiindi, who represents the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) at Omuthiya.
Ndeutepo yesterday said he is tired of IPC councillors, adding “they better go and run a chicken farm”.
Shiindi two months ago unsuccessfully passed a motion of no confidence in the council’s management committee.
She says a previous motion has improved the management committee’s performance.
In her recent motion, the deputy mayor said the mayor procures materials without the council’s approval.
“On 15 July 2022, the council received a backhoe loader, purchased by the council in the amount of N$4,3 million, which was not budgeted for,” Shiindi said.
She said the council last year budgeted to buy a tipper, skipper, bulldozer and water tank.
However, none of these machines were purchased.
She said Ndeutepo makes decisions concerning the finances of council without consulting the management committee.
“The mayor made an uneconomical decision to purchase machines, which are unbudgeted for and without the knowledge of the council,” Shiindi said.
“The Omuthiya Town Council is being governed by one man, Mr Ndeutepo,” she said.
Council meetings are held according to the availability of the mayor, Shiindi added.
She said additionally, the Omuthiya Town Council spends a lot on out-of-town allowances.
On Monday, however, the council discussed the motion of no confidence in the mayor, which Ndeutepo allegedly chaired himself.
“I asked him where it is stated that a person can chair a motion while they are the subject of a motion. He then decided to choose a member of the management committee to chair,” Shiindi said.
MOTION DISMISSED
However, Ndeutepo then changed his mind, chaired the meeting, and dismissed the motion.
Contacted for a comment this week, Ndeutepo said the motion could not be discussed because it was not seconded by any councillor.
He said motions must either be opposed or unopposed.
“When it is opposed, the chairperson of the meeting will then ask for a secondment of the motion. If unopposed, it means the motion is carried out without any discussion,” Ndeutepo said.
He said he is the chairperson of the council and has to fulfil the function of chairperson.
According to him the Local Authorities Act does not prohibit him from chairing such a meeting.
“I was not absent at the meeting. No one can perform my duties while I am there,” Ndeutepo said.
“I cannot have a conflict of interest in a motion of no confidence at all. It is not to my benefit nor a family member of mine. I informed them it is a legal thing,” he said.
Ndeutepo said mayors are elected because people have confidence in them.
The mayor said IPC councillors have a tendency of leaving council meetings.
He accused IPC councillors of creating a hullabaloo in the media.
“This is a sign of mediocrity. You are talking about S&Ts, while we are paid N$600 per day. Saying we buy unbudgeted things is rubbish,” he said.
The motion was instituted by deputy mayor Petrina Shiindi, who represents the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) at Omuthiya.
Ndeutepo yesterday said he is tired of IPC councillors, adding “they better go and run a chicken farm”.
Shiindi two months ago unsuccessfully passed a motion of no confidence in the council’s management committee.
She says a previous motion has improved the management committee’s performance.
In her recent motion, the deputy mayor said the mayor procures materials without the council’s approval.
“On 15 July 2022, the council received a backhoe loader, purchased by the council in the amount of N$4,3 million, which was not budgeted for,” Shiindi said.
She said the council last year budgeted to buy a tipper, skipper, bulldozer and water tank.
However, none of these machines were purchased.
She said Ndeutepo makes decisions concerning the finances of council without consulting the management committee.
“The mayor made an uneconomical decision to purchase machines, which are unbudgeted for and without the knowledge of the council,” Shiindi said.
“The Omuthiya Town Council is being governed by one man, Mr Ndeutepo,” she said.
Council meetings are held according to the availability of the mayor, Shiindi added.
She said additionally, the Omuthiya Town Council spends a lot on out-of-town allowances.
On Monday, however, the council discussed the motion of no confidence in the mayor, which Ndeutepo allegedly chaired himself.
“I asked him where it is stated that a person can chair a motion while they are the subject of a motion. He then decided to choose a member of the management committee to chair,” Shiindi said.
MOTION DISMISSED
However, Ndeutepo then changed his mind, chaired the meeting, and dismissed the motion.
Contacted for a comment this week, Ndeutepo said the motion could not be discussed because it was not seconded by any councillor.
He said motions must either be opposed or unopposed.
“When it is opposed, the chairperson of the meeting will then ask for a secondment of the motion. If unopposed, it means the motion is carried out without any discussion,” Ndeutepo said.
He said he is the chairperson of the council and has to fulfil the function of chairperson.
According to him the Local Authorities Act does not prohibit him from chairing such a meeting.
“I was not absent at the meeting. No one can perform my duties while I am there,” Ndeutepo said.
“I cannot have a conflict of interest in a motion of no confidence at all. It is not to my benefit nor a family member of mine. I informed them it is a legal thing,” he said.
Ndeutepo said mayors are elected because people have confidence in them.
The mayor said IPC councillors have a tendency of leaving council meetings.
He accused IPC councillors of creating a hullabaloo in the media.
“This is a sign of mediocrity. You are talking about S&Ts, while we are paid N$600 per day. Saying we buy unbudgeted things is rubbish,” he said.
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