Erongo council to tackle minister’s order on Benitha Imbamba reinstatement

The Erongo Regional Council is set to discuss a ministerial directive ordering the reinstatement of chairperson Benitha Imbamba during its ordinary meeting on Wednesday. The council this week acknowledged the directive, which chief regional officer Mupenzeni Ntelamo confirmed to The Namibian yesterday. The acknowledgment comes after minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa issued the council a directive to reinstate Imbamba as its chairperson after she was removed through a vote of no confidence in March. “The next ordinary council meeting is a scheduled calendar meeting, and will discuss the normal developmental agenda. Members will, at the same meeting, reflect on the directive,” Ntelamo said. Last week, he said the council would respect the minister’s directive. Despite the acknowledgement, it is not clear what the outcome of the meeting will be. Imbamba has challenged her removal in the High Court, which ruled in her favour and ordered the council to reinstate her in August. The council, however, held a special meeting last month during which it rejected her reinstatement, thereby defying the court’s order. This has prompted Sankwasa to issue a directive for the council to “respect” the court order. Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Walvis Bay Rural councillor Florian Donatus yesterday said he was not aware of such acknowledgement, adding that the council meeting would take place today. “The council meeting will decide about the directive only on Wednesday [today]. If the chief regional officer has decided on behalf of the council, then that is something else,” he said. Donatus is currently not allowed to represent the IPC, following his restraint amid the police’s ongoing fraud investigation into him.He does, however, remain the chairperson of council after he was election into the position in April. Walvis Bay Urban IPC councillor Deriou Benson yesterday also confirmed today’s meeting, with Imbamba’s reinstatement as the main discussion on the agenda. Omaruru constituency Swapo councillor Erenst Wetha yesterday said should Imbamba be reinstated, she would not have enough time as a chairperson, citing the councillors’ terms coming to an end in November. “After this meeting, there are probably only two meetings in November to address and conclude all items on the agenda,” he said. Imbamba yesterday declined to comment due to the sensitivity of the matter, and said she would respond after the council meeting.