Sankwasa warns LAs over mismanagement, audit failures
Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa issued a directive prohibiting local authorities (LAs) from allocating serviced land to private developers. He also warned councils to improve accountability or face serious consequences.
He made this statement on Monday, during the induction workshop for regional and LA councillors, chief regional officers and chief executive officers from the Khomas and Otjozondjupa regions, which took place in Otjiwarongo.
Sankwasa made it clear that serviced land must primarily benefit ordinary citizens, particularly low- and middle-income groups, rather than commercial developers.
“No local authority should give serviced land to a private developer,” he said, stressing that government-funded land servicing is intended to support citizens in need of affordable housing.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over housing shortages and the perceived prioritisation of private interests over public needs.
The minister also criticised LAs for failing to carry out key responsibilities, including supporting community institutions.
“But for now, local authorities have neglected that part,” he said, adding that negligence in areas such as community and church support reflects broader governance failures.
Mandates
He warned that councils failing to perform their duties risk intervention under Section 94 of the Local Authorities Act, which empowers the minister to act where councils are unable to fulfil their mandate.
He criticised excessive travel spending by some local authorities, revealing that he had already disapproved certain travel requests. “Others say they are independent; we will see how far that independence will go,” he cautioned.
The minister also criticised the failure by some councils to implement prepaid water meter systems, despite government funding having been made available.
The prepaid system was designed to improve revenue collection and ensure sustainability, allowing councils to retain a portion of payments to settle debts with bulk suppliers. “They failed to implement it,” Sankwasa said. “In some cases, they even bought meters that lasted only three months because they were the cheapest.”
Eroding trust
Sankwasa warned that continued mismanagement in local authorities is eroding public trust and contributing to political instability. “The mismanagement of local authorities and government entities has led to the formation of other political parties,” he said. “People are losing confidence.”
In an effort to restore accountability, the minister announced that all LAs must have their financial records audited by the end of May.
“I have already issued directives for audits,” he said. “If your books are not audited by the end of May, you will not receive any funding.”
He emphasised that future financial disbursements will depend on compliance, warning that councils that fail to account for public funds risk losing government support.
Sankwasa concluded by urging local leaders to shift their focus from administration to service delivery, emphasising that governance must be centred on the needs of citizens.
The minister advocated for greater transparency, financial discipline, and enhanced service delivery across Namibian local authorities.
