Henties Bay residents demand mayor’s removal
Henties Bay residents on Monday submitted a formal petition to urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni, demanding the immediate removal of mayor Lewies Vermaak for allegedly obstructing governance and defying a ministerial directive.
The petition, signed by approximately 200 residents, was handed over to Erongo governor Neville Andre in Swakopmund.
At the centre of the residents' grievances is the mayor’s alleged refusal to reinstate two suspended municipal officials – CEO Elizabeth Coetzee and finance manager Eliphas Amunyela – despite a direct order from the minister.
Residents claim that this defiance has resulted in financial losses and administrative inefficiencies within the municipality.
The petition outlines additional demands, including the immediate reinstatement of the suspended officials, accountability for financial losses incurred due to their prolonged suspension, and the removal of Vermaak for alleged insubordination.
“This unlawful act is a gross abuse of power and a direct insult to both your office and the residents of Henties Bay,” the petition, read by community representative Jessica Basson, states.
The petitioners have given authorities a seven-day deadline to act, warning that failure to comply will lead to legal proceedings and public protests.
Teamwork
Henties Bay council management committee chairperson Michael Skini told NMH that the suspension (or reinstatement) of the two officials is a collective council decision, not an individual action by the mayor.
“No councillor makes decisions by themselves. It is a collective decision under oversight and discussion within the council,” Skini explained. “To demand the removal of the mayor alone is unfair because the decision was not made by him alone.”
According to Skini, council is waiting for the ministry to finalise disciplinary hearings for the suspended officials.
“We also want this matter resolved as soon as possible,” he added. “We do not want the suspended individuals to remain outside of council indefinitely.”
Skini declined to elaborate on the specific reasons for Amunyela’s suspension, saying that the matter must first be fully adjudicated before further comments can be made.
Attempts to reach Vermaak for comment were unsuccessful, as he appeared to be out of range. Amunyela did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication on Monday.
The petition, signed by approximately 200 residents, was handed over to Erongo governor Neville Andre in Swakopmund.
At the centre of the residents' grievances is the mayor’s alleged refusal to reinstate two suspended municipal officials – CEO Elizabeth Coetzee and finance manager Eliphas Amunyela – despite a direct order from the minister.
Residents claim that this defiance has resulted in financial losses and administrative inefficiencies within the municipality.
The petition outlines additional demands, including the immediate reinstatement of the suspended officials, accountability for financial losses incurred due to their prolonged suspension, and the removal of Vermaak for alleged insubordination.
“This unlawful act is a gross abuse of power and a direct insult to both your office and the residents of Henties Bay,” the petition, read by community representative Jessica Basson, states.
The petitioners have given authorities a seven-day deadline to act, warning that failure to comply will lead to legal proceedings and public protests.
Teamwork
Henties Bay council management committee chairperson Michael Skini told NMH that the suspension (or reinstatement) of the two officials is a collective council decision, not an individual action by the mayor.
“No councillor makes decisions by themselves. It is a collective decision under oversight and discussion within the council,” Skini explained. “To demand the removal of the mayor alone is unfair because the decision was not made by him alone.”
According to Skini, council is waiting for the ministry to finalise disciplinary hearings for the suspended officials.
“We also want this matter resolved as soon as possible,” he added. “We do not want the suspended individuals to remain outside of council indefinitely.”
Skini declined to elaborate on the specific reasons for Amunyela’s suspension, saying that the matter must first be fully adjudicated before further comments can be made.
Attempts to reach Vermaak for comment were unsuccessful, as he appeared to be out of range. Amunyela did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication on Monday.
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