A group of concerned Keetmanshoop residents protested against the municipality over alleged poor governance, financial mismanagement, nepotism, corruption and poor service delivery.

The residents petitioned against what they termed irregular recruitment processes, interference in finance processes to influence personal or political gain, irregular payments to contractors, and water meters sold at an inflated price.

They also expressed concern over money spent on unnecessary trips, political interference in administration, misuse of council vehicles and lack of financial controls.

Another is payments allegedly made without services rendered relating to the N$3 million job evaluation project tender awarded to Dr Boniface Mutumba, spearheaded by councillors Easter Isaack and Annelise Knaus. 

"We request the minister to avail a team to investigate the affairs of the council on issues of procurement, financial management, and maladministration of council property," says Keetmanshoop resident Willem Eiman. 

The protestors further demanded a full financial report on the council's subsistence travel allowances spent over the past years and called for the suspension of the acting

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gregorius Andries, and Human Resources Manager, Adam Isaak, to allow unhindered investigation.

Mayor Melody Swartbooi received the petition and promised to give feedback in 14 working days.

Knaus declined to comment.

Isaack also denounced the allegations against him as false.

"I am glad that such petitions are coming out, but we know from where they come from. There are some staff members because they were disciplined, and they feel like they need to organise petitions with political parties, and it is not Keetmanshoop residents; it is political parties that tried and couldn't get a seat in council," he maintained. 

Dr Mutumba refuted allegations that he was awarded a tender to render project management and consultancy services to the municipality.

He said the N$2.5 million job evaluation and PMS rollout projects were awarded to BSM Capacity Building Solution CC as an extension to the strategic plan project, and it had been paid over a period of 11 months. 

Isaack says he and Mutumba plan to take this matter to court.