Walvis Bay Mayor Trevino Forbes has clarified recent comments he made about political sabotage within the municipality.

Speaking at an Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) press conference two weeks ago, Forbes claimed there was an element within the municipality working to undermine service delivery, suggesting deliberate efforts to make his party fail.

"There is no way such a huge municipality is unable to collect residents' rubbish or fix potholes," Forbes said at the time.

However, at a media conference held at the municipality on Wednesday, the mayor struck a more conciliatory tone, praising Chief Executive Officer Victoria Kapenda and the general managers for doing a “brilliant job.”

“I want to make it very clear that our current CEO Victoria Kapenda has been doing a brilliant job,” Forbes stated. He also urged the public to refrain from personal attacks on the CEO.

“I was told that in November black plastic bags were procured or were requested to be bought. Up until May, these bags were not there. I was told that there are trucks, for example, with one tyre that can't drive because the tyre is not in good condition. I was told that one truck cannot drive because the licence disc expired,” Forbes explained. “As much as we are politicians, we don’t say things out of thin air.”

Forbes’ attempt at clarification didn’t sit well with some councillors.

Councillor Albertina Nkoshi criticised the mayor, saying his earlier remarks led to public backlash against Kapenda.

“The CEO has been attacked by the community of Walvis Bay left, right and centre,” Nkoshi said. “It is due to the statement that you have given that the CEO is suffering. Her parents were mentioned, what type of person she is, what she has done. I think that clarity needs to be given on social media for her to rest.”

Councillor Ephraim Shozi told reporters that the media conference had a clear purpose — for the mayor and another councillor to apologise and withdraw their statements.

“The two members were asked to come to this press conference to come and apologize and withdraw the statement. That was basically the whole emphasis,” Shozi said. He added that following a complaint from the CEO, the council passed three resolutions, one of which required an apology from the mayor.

Another resolution, according to Shozi, called for the mayor and another councillor to explain the reasons behind their public comments.

Forbes, however, did not offer an apology. “As per the resolutions of the council, this conference was meant to address and rectify — but not to apologise,” he said.