Africa-Press – Namibia. Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has acted on his threat to dissolve the Katima Mulilo Town Council for failing to implement his directives – effective immediately.
The Government Gazette dated 15 August 2025, which The Namibian has seen, says Sankwasa used “the powers invested in him under section 92 (2) of the Local Authorities Act of 1992, and removed all the members of the council from office”.
Sankwasa, when approached for comment yesterday on the authenticity of the gazette, said: “I have no comment.”
Katima Mulilo mayor John Ntemwa yesterday said he was not aware he had been fired.
“This is news to me. Please share the Government Gazette, and I will get back to you,” he said.
In a widely circulated letter dated 22 July addressed to Ntemwa, Sankwasa threatened to either suspend or fire the Katima Mulilo Town Council members for failing to rectify alleged governance and management irregularities at the local authority.
The minister said they must provide him with factual reasons based on governance and prudent financial management before or on 25 July.
His letter says he gave the council a directive to return vehicles and other goods, and to recover land that was exchanged.
Additionally, Sankwasa instructed that all activities on disputed land be stopped.
“The directive was, however, not executed or adhered to, and construction activities continued on some plots, such as plot 538,” the letter states.
The letter further says a directive was given that the council should solve a labour matter between itself and workers internally to avoid unnecessary financial expenses.
“The labour matter that was supposed to be solved internally without any financial costs incurred by the council has now proceeded to labour arbitration,” he says.
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