Ndeutepo re-elected to Omuthiya council
• ... despite still working in Windhoek
Johannes Ndeutepo remains a member of the council.
After daring urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni to remove him from council, former Omuthiya mayor Johannes Ndeutepo continues to contravene the Local Authorities Act after he was on Friday elected as a member of the town’s management committee despite having secured a full-time job in Windhoek.
Prior to the swearing-in ceremony in Tsumeb last Friday, Namibian Sun reported that Ndeutepo, the mayor at the time, was in contravention of Section 13 (1) (h) of the Local Authorities Act, as he resides approximately 600 kilometres from the community he was appointed to lead.
The Act states that a member of a local authority council must vacate their office if they cease to reside within the local authority area after being elected.
Daring comment
Ndeutepo has been based in Windhoek since 1 July 2024, after he was appointed as the CEO of Nammic Holdings.
When contacted for comment on a previous occasion, he alleged he is not the only councillor who resides outside his jurisdiction. He also said he believes the Act should be amended.
Ndeutepo moreover challenged the minister to enforce the Act, which he described as ‘legally impossible’.
Uutoni at the time said the Act is clear and needs no further interpretation.
Legal opinions
In 2023, Namibian Sun reported on a similar case involving Dr Fabian George, the chairperson of the Ongwediva town council’s management committee, who was employed full-time in Okakarara.
This raised concerns about his ability to effectively fulfil his duties, given that Ongwediva is situated 560 kilometres from his workplace.
A legal opinion, dated January 2021, by Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka to Uutoni underscored the Act’s provision, adding that removing a councillor who does not reside within their elected local authority is "absolute" and not "discretionary".
Mbandeka wrote: “In the event that a member of a local authority ceases to reside or only temporarily resides within the local authority area that such a member was elected to, such a member shall vacate his or her office pursuant to Section 13(1)(h) of the Local Authorities Act...”.
He added that the minister has recourse to effect the removal of non-resident councillors and “does not have to wait for a political party” to withdraw its member. Despite this advice, George remains a councillor at Ongwediva.
New council
Beata Nashongo was elected as mayor of Omuthiya.
Paulus Shimbangala was sworn in as the chairperson of the town’s management committee. Ester Kornelius and Ndeutepo are the two other members of the committee.
The ordinary councillors are Moses Amukoto, Beata Josef and Nghipudilo ya Shiindi.
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Prior to the swearing-in ceremony in Tsumeb last Friday, Namibian Sun reported that Ndeutepo, the mayor at the time, was in contravention of Section 13 (1) (h) of the Local Authorities Act, as he resides approximately 600 kilometres from the community he was appointed to lead.
The Act states that a member of a local authority council must vacate their office if they cease to reside within the local authority area after being elected.
Daring comment
Ndeutepo has been based in Windhoek since 1 July 2024, after he was appointed as the CEO of Nammic Holdings.
When contacted for comment on a previous occasion, he alleged he is not the only councillor who resides outside his jurisdiction. He also said he believes the Act should be amended.
Ndeutepo moreover challenged the minister to enforce the Act, which he described as ‘legally impossible’.
Uutoni at the time said the Act is clear and needs no further interpretation.
Legal opinions
In 2023, Namibian Sun reported on a similar case involving Dr Fabian George, the chairperson of the Ongwediva town council’s management committee, who was employed full-time in Okakarara.
This raised concerns about his ability to effectively fulfil his duties, given that Ongwediva is situated 560 kilometres from his workplace.
A legal opinion, dated January 2021, by Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka to Uutoni underscored the Act’s provision, adding that removing a councillor who does not reside within their elected local authority is "absolute" and not "discretionary".
Mbandeka wrote: “In the event that a member of a local authority ceases to reside or only temporarily resides within the local authority area that such a member was elected to, such a member shall vacate his or her office pursuant to Section 13(1)(h) of the Local Authorities Act...”.
He added that the minister has recourse to effect the removal of non-resident councillors and “does not have to wait for a political party” to withdraw its member. Despite this advice, George remains a councillor at Ongwediva.
New council
Beata Nashongo was elected as mayor of Omuthiya.
Paulus Shimbangala was sworn in as the chairperson of the town’s management committee. Ester Kornelius and Ndeutepo are the two other members of the committee.
The ordinary councillors are Moses Amukoto, Beata Josef and Nghipudilo ya Shiindi.
[email protected]
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