Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has demanded greater accountability and transparency at the Katima Mulilo Town Council, following a fire that destroyed key administrative offices and disrupted municipal operations late last week.
The blaze gutted the council’s town planning and land management offices in the early hours of Friday morning. While no injuries were reported, the incident has raised new questions about governance, record keeping, and oversight within the institution.
Speaking during a follow-up engagement with local officials, Sankwasa said the incident must serve as a wake-up call for the entire council.
“What happened in Katima Mulilo is unacceptable. We cannot continue to lose public property and critical documents due to negligence or poor systems,” he said. “The council must take full responsibility and ensure that this does not happen again.”
He emphasized that his ministry would not tolerate mismanagement at local government level, saying that every town council should uphold professional and ethical standards in service delivery.
“Our people deserve efficiency and integrity from those who manage public institutions. If there are weaknesses, we must fix them urgently,” the minister added.
According to officials within the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, Sankwasa has directed a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire and the handling of municipal assets. The probe will also examine recent procurement activities and the storage of government materials at the council’s premises.
The minister said he expects the findings to guide future reforms within the municipality.
“We need facts on the table — what went wrong, who was responsible, and what needs to change. Only then can we rebuild public trust,” he noted.
In the meantime, council employees affected by the fire have been temporarily relocated while the building undergoes assessment and repairs.
Sankwasa said the ministry remains focused on ensuring that local authorities operate efficiently and deliver on their mandates. He encouraged council staff to recommit themselves to serving the public with transparency and diligence.
“Leadership at all levels must be accountable. It is not enough to occupy positions — we must show results and maintain discipline in how we use public resources,” he said.
The minister also confirmed that the auditor’s office is reviewing several transactions linked to infrastructure and sanitation projects in Katima Mulilo to ensure compliance with government procedures.
Residents have expressed support for the ministry’s intervention, saying they hope it will bring order and credibility back to the council. The fire and subsequent inquiry are expected to trigger long-term reforms in the management of public facilities across Namibia’s local authorities.
