Keetmanshoop and Okahandja: Councils defend themselves against accusations

The chairpersons of the Keetmanshoop and Okahandja municipal councils have objected to recent media reports based on the findings of the Auditor-General. As the AZ also reported, there are financial discrepancies in the municipalities in the millions. The chairpersons accuse the previous administrations of mismanagement and demand context and accountability.


In Keetmanshoop, Mayor Annelize Knaus and Chairperson of the Management Committee, Easter Isaaks, denied reports that the municipality had made losses of N$77 million over the past three years. This sum represents an accumulated deficit since the municipality's inception. The councillor added that the municipality's deficit after investment income and debt settlement in the 2020/2021 financial year was only N$964. Isaaks criticized the reporting as politically motivated and accused previous Swapo councillors of financial mismanagement. The LPM Council in office since 2021 stated that it had taken measures such as training to implement IPSAS accounting standards. Isaaks also called for those responsible for the audited periods to be summoned before the audit committee.


In Okahandja, Deputy Mayor Akser Aupindi reacted to the reports of N$10 million repayments to the tax office: "None of the councillors knew about this repatriation. The damage was done by our predecessors." Both councils have asked the media to see documents and audit logs to ensure balanced reporting.