Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa says the Gobabis Municipality is lacking integrity, attributed to tensions and infighting among the councillors.

Sankwasa made the remarks during a meeting with the councillors inside the municipality's council chambers in Gobabis.

The visit was to engage the councillors after learning of a dispute at the Gobabis Municipality, involving allegations of fights and tensions among councillors.

He described the behaviour as unacceptable, saying councillors are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the title of "honourable" given to them.

"You should be objective. Professionalism and integrity in all public places. Like the Bible says, if you think, that's what you are. So integrity is not in Gobabis Municipality. There is no integrity. There is no professionalism here. There's no commitment to professionalism. At least your behaviour as an individual at home. When you are in public, admit to public ethics. In the image, the reputation of this council is at stake. When we read the paper, when we hear there is physical fighting in the council."

Sankwasa reminded Gobabis councillors that their individual actions should not undermine the functioning of the council.

"You may not; your actions, as an individual councillor, must not hamper the functionality of the council. If you can't cooperate, as councillors you can't govern. Because governance requires the cooperation of all councillors. And when you do what you are doing now, you split the administration. "