Walvis Bay Rural Constituency Councillor Donatus Tegako is the new Chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, following an election in the chamber.

Tegako, who is on the ticket of the Independent Patriots for Change, replaces Arandis Councillor and Swapo Party's Benita Imbamba.

A motion of a vote of no confidence on Imbamba was tabled on 24 March by the Walvis Bay Urban Councillor Deriou Benson, citing lack of leadership and vision.

IPC councillor Benson also accused Imbamba of sowing division among the councillors.

Imbamba informed nbc News that she was not ready to comment on the claims made in the vote of no confidence.

However, she dismissed the allegations last month in a local daily newspaper, describing them as a baseless witch-hunt.

She claimed that the motion had no legal foundation and was an attempt to discredit her leadership.

Meanwhile, Swakopmund councillor and IPC's Louisa Kativa was elected as a new member of the management committee to replace Tegako.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by all the IPC councillors as well as the Daures Constituency and United Democratic Front (UDF) councillor Kennedy ! Haoseb.

Chief Regional Officer Sam Ntelamo said the three Swapo councillors all submitted written apologies and did not attend the meeting.

Omaruru councillor Ernst Wetha told nbc News that he could not attend because of the doctor's appointment, while the Karibib Constituency Councillor Melania Ndjago said she was booked off.

Imbamba is the second chairperson to be removed from the position since the council came into power five years ago.

She was elected in 2022, replacing IPC's Ciske Howard-Smith, who was recalled by her party.

IPC and Swapo have three seats each in the council, while the UDF holds one seat.