Imagine being a local councilor in Namibia's bustling capital, only to face demands for repaying millions in travel funds after fulfilling what you saw as your official duties abroad. This gripping tale of political showdowns and financial disputes has captured national attention, pitting a determined minister against defiant former officials. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this a straightforward case of accountability, or a politically charged vendetta? Stick around as we dive into the details, uncovering the twists that most people overlook in high-stakes governance battles.
In a bold move, Namibia's Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has instructed former Windhoek city councilors to reimburse approximately N$20 million that was spent on international journeys deemed unauthorized. These trips, funded by the city, covered expenses like airfare, lodging, and per diem allowances for a series of overseas excursions throughout 2025. To put that into perspective, that's enough money to fund numerous community projects or support local initiatives, making the stakes feel even higher for taxpayers.
The councilors involved, however, have firmly stated they won't be returning the funds. This group spans multiple political parties, including representatives from Swapo, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo), and the Affirmative Repositioning (AR). It's worth noting that councilors are elected officials who often represent their communities on various levels, and international trips can be crucial for learning best practices in urban planning, trade, or environmental policies from other countries—think of it as expanding horizons to bring fresh ideas back home.
Adding another layer, municipal staff members who joined these councilors on their journeys reportedly also received benefits from the allocated funds. For beginners in local politics, this highlights how such trips aren't just vacations; they're often strategic opportunities to build partnerships and knowledge that could directly benefit the city's development.
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The total expenditure covered flights, accommodations, and daily costs for about 12 overseas ventures between March and November this year. As examples, a seven-day visit by two councilors to China from July 28 to August 4 reportedly totaled N$120,600, while another trip to Mozambique from August 25 to 31 came in at N$118,400. Destinations were diverse, ranging from Singapore in March and Shanghai in May, to Eswatini, Tshwane, and Marracuene in Mozambique during June. July saw journeys to Vienna in Austria and Nanjing in China, August included Moscow in Russia and another stop in Marracuene, and November featured Bogota in Colombia, Mannheim in Germany, Nanjing again, Milan in Italy, and Barcelona in Spain.
The Directive Unveiled
Minister Sankwasa issued letters to the city on October 21 and November 13, mandating that councilors who ventured abroad without his explicit approval must repay the funds. He emphasized, 'All money received by council members who traveled despite the disapproval of the trip outside Namibia should and must be refunded by all who benefited. This must be done on or before 25 November 2025.' On November 23, he followed up via WhatsApp to Windhoek's chief executive, Moses Matyayi, urging prompt action. 'It's my directive that all money paid to councilors for such traveling is recovered before they leave office. If you have not received it, kindly get a copy from the mayor,' he reiterated. This sets up a clear deadline, but as we'll see, enforcement isn't straightforward.
But here's the part most people miss: The city's hands are tied because many of the implicated councilors stepped down after the November 26 elections, complicating any attempts to claw back the money. In a conversation with The Namibian, Sankwasa suggested checking with the city chief executive on implementation progress.
Pushback from the Councilors
Former IPC mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja expressed regret over the repayment order, viewing it as unfortunate that officials are penalized for performing their roles. 'It's worrying that councilors have to pay back after executing their duties. It's politically motivated, because how can you expect councilors to execute their duties and at the end of the day have to pay back money for traveling?' she questioned. For those new to this, councilors often serve as ambassadors for their cities, fostering international ties that could lead to investments or collaborations—reimbursing them might feel like punishing diligence.
Nudo's Joseph Uapingene acknowledged the directive but pointed to council resolutions granting them autonomy in deciding benefits. 'We are supervised by the minister, but we are a body that can make its own decisions,' he explained. He stressed that these weren't leisure trips: 'We didn't travel to go and eat ice cream. We traveled to work.' This counters the notion of frivolous spending, framing the journeys as essential work.
Swapo councilor Fransina Kahungu noted her awareness of the order. 'My case is that I didn't travel when I was alerted to the letter from the minister. I wrote to the chief executive to explain, but it was never clarified whether I should travel or not,' she shared. She added that she had already committed to repaying the funds. Meanwhile, Landless People's Movement's Sade Gawanas clarified she only took one trip to Lesotho the previous year and emphasized that authorizations were secured during her mayoral term. 'We didn't travel a lot,' she said.
Another Swapo councilor and former mayor, Queen Kamati, stated she wasn't impacted since she hadn't traveled after the directive was issued. Windhoek's spokesperson, Harold Akwenye, chose not to comment this week.
Challenges in Enforcement
On November 25, Matyayi informed then-mayor Larandja that Sankwasa's order posed significant hurdles for recovery, as council trips were approved by the council's management committee. 'It is my view the directive may present a serious problem of enforceability and subsequent compliance thereto in its current form,' he warned. This raises intriguing questions: Who holds the ultimate authority in such decisions— the central government or local councils?
Legal Showdown
The City of Windhoek consulted an internal legal advisor, who concluded that councilors don't require ministerial permission for such trips. This opinion was forwarded to Sankwasa, who dismissed it as erroneous. 'The legal opinion you seem to rely on . . . is misplaced and a misdirection by your corporate legal adviser, who may equally be conflicted,' he replied to Larandja. He reinforced that all official journeys beyond Namibia's borders must have ministerial approval, even if sponsored elsewhere.
The city counters that while the minister can regulate allowances, demanding prior approval exceeds his powers and is unlawful. Sankwasa countered by citing the Namibian Constitution and precedents from Namibia and South Africa, arguing that ministers in their portfolios can enforce such rules under Article 18.
And this is the part most people miss: The potential for court involvement looms large. Matyayi noted that with some councilors exiting office, recovery might necessitate legal action. To expedite resolution, he proposed an urgent special meeting on November 27 for council advice post-Sankwasa's rejection of their legal stance. Assuming the minister's view prevails, Matyayi suggested withholding portions of their payments or gratuities until a legal opinion clarifies matters. This could prevent a drawn-out battle, but it also sparks debates on fairness and due process.
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In summary, this clash underscores a broader tension: Is ministerial oversight a safeguard against misuse of funds, or an overreach that stifles local autonomy? Some might argue it's a necessary check on potential extravagance, while others see it as political interference blocking genuine work. What do you think—should councilors have more independence in travel decisions, or is stricter control essential to prevent abuse? Share your views in the comments; we'd love to hear agreements, disagreements, or fresh perspectives on this unfolding saga.
- - This article was produced by The Namibian's investigative unit. Email us news tips from your secure email to: investigations@namibian.com.na
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