In a surprising development in Lüderitz politics, Mayor Phil Balhao has announced his resignation from both his mayoral position and the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party.
Balhao made the announcement through his official Facebook account on Tuesday, thanking residents for their support and reflecting on his time in office. “Serving the people of Lüderitz has been the honour of a lifetime. I am grateful for the trust, collaboration, and commitment of our community,” he wrote.
The resignation letter was formally submitted to IPC National General Secretary Christine !Auchamus. Following this, the party informed the Lüderitz Town Council’s chief executive officer of Balhao’s departure. According to Balhao, his decision to leave the party automatically meant stepping down as mayor, as his leadership was tied to the IPC ticket.
During his tenure, Balhao’s administration focused on local development initiatives and community engagement. His exit leaves the Lüderitz Town Council needing to appoint an acting mayor while political discussions continue on the next steps for IPC representation in the town.
This move adds to a growing resignation of politicians in Namibian parties, highlighting the challenges parties face in retaining key leaders.
