Katima re-elects Ntemwa as mayor despite postponement request

Katima Mulilo has re-elected John Ntemwa as mayor despite an opposition party councillor’s request to postpone the elections of the political office bearers on Tuesday.

The request for postponement came from National Democratic Party councillor Simasiku Mukendwa, on the grounds that the seventh council member from Independent Patriot For Change, councillor Charles Musiyalike, is not present.

However, the town’s chief executive, Raphael Liswaniso, says they will not postpone the elections because they did not receive any official notice of absence from Musiyalike.

Upon his request being denied, Mukendwa said that he will not be participating in the elections and left the meeting.

“I will leave the chambers without participating in these elections; you can proceed without me if it’s legal,” he said.

Presiding magistrate Beatrice Sibalatani says seeing that five councillors are present, the quorum requirements are met, therefore, she sees no reason for any postponements.

“My concern is just to ensure that the quorum is observed. I see that there are five councillors present, and I’m told that the quorum is four, so we shall proceed,” she says.

The elections continued, whereby deputy mayor Lascan Sikosi and chairperson of the management committee, Beritha Sitali, also retained their positions.

Lister Shamalaza and Christina Simanga were elected as members of the management committee.