Former parliamentarian Sankwasa James Sankwasa has urged Zambezi Regional Council leadership to take action regarding the recent arrests of management cadres.
Those arrested in a corruption probe involving N$4,6 million include chief regional officer Regina Ndopu-Lubinda, deputy director for administration Abraham Shikoyeni, chief accountant Nimrod Lichela, regional director for planning and rural development Beaven Walubita, deputy director for planning and rural development Cletius Mubita and chief development planner Daniel Mbala.
They were apprehended two weeks ago and have been released on bail of N$50 000 each.
In an interview with The Namibian on yesterday, Sankwasa said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has completed its investigation and now it’s the council’s responsibility to act accordingly.
“The Regional Councils Act empowers the regional council to take decisive action. If the council doesn’t act, it could create the impression that councilors are complicit. Why are they not taking action?”
The Zambezi Regional Council has not convened to discuss the arrests, while council members John Likando, Ivan Kabunga and Bernard Sisamu say they are awaiting a meeting to be convened by council chairperson Warden Simushi. The Namibian attempted to contact Simushi, who said he was in Windhoek attending meetings and was unable to talk.
“After the meeting, I am travelling to Oshakati,” he said. Attempts to further reach him proved futile and his phone went unanswered.
Sankwasa said the absence of the chairperson should not prevent the council from holding a meeting and making recommendations, as section 11 (4) and 11(5) of the Regional Councils Act allows members to convene and elect a chairperson from among themselves to preside over such a meeting. According to the act, decisions and resolutions made during such meetings are legally binding.
Katima Urban councillor Mike Lukaezi confirmed that the council has not held a meeting on the matter and questioned why the chairperson had not called a council meeting to brief the public on the issue.
“It was my wish for the council to have an urgent meeting, even a special council meeting on Tuesday.”
The last time the council convened a meeting to pass a resolution was in May, Lukaezi said.
Judea Lyaboloma councillor Humphrey Divai said the regional council has been operating with little oversight, as Simushi and the chief regional officer are rarely in the office.
He accused the management committee councillors of protecting the chief regional officer.
“They are saying she must go back to work and that the court must pronounce itself on the matter. This is a lengthy court matter, how can we expect the court to pronounce itself?”
Swapo regional coordinator Moffat Sileze confirmed that party councillors have not provided any information on the council’s activities.
“They (Swapo councillors) have not informed us.”
The accused individuals are scheduled to appear in court on 7 December.
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