Mariental mayor re-elected

COUNCILLOR Priscilla Beukes, a member of the Swapo Party, was re-elected as Mayor of Mariental at a special council meeting on Friday.

Wilhelm Mensah (Swapo), who was nominated as Deputy Mayor, refused the position at the last minute. It is speculated that Mensah refused to serve alongside Beukes because he wanted to remain a member of the management council.Another surprise came when Josef Swartbooi (DTA) withdrew his nomination of Marthinus Kotze (CoD) as additional member of the management committee.As a result the position of additional member also remained vacant.Lukas Katuanene (Swapo), Abel Kaifanua (Swapo) and Annamarie Gorases (Swapo) will serve as management committee members.A source told The Namibian that councillors hurled accusations of conflict of interest against each other during the mayoral election.An investigation into the allegations is expected to be launched soon, the source added.The Namibian was informed that the remaining vacancies would be voted on this week.It is speculated that Mensah refused to serve alongside Beukes because he wanted to remain a member of the management council.Another surprise came when Josef Swartbooi (DTA) withdrew his nomination of Marthinus Kotze (CoD) as additional member of the management committee.As a result the position of additional member also remained vacant.Lukas Katuanene (Swapo), Abel Kaifanua (Swapo) and Annamarie Gorases (Swapo) will serve as management committee members.A source told The Namibian that councillors hurled accusations of conflict of interest against each other during the mayoral election.An investigation into the allegations is expected to be launched soon, the source added.The Namibian was informed that the remaining vacancies would be voted on this week.