The Mayor of Otjiwarongo says they are carefully crafting the process for the recruitment of a new Chief Executive Officer for the town.

Gottlieb Shivute says once the report on the recruitment process is completed, it will be forwarded to the Minister of Urban and Rural Development for his approval no later than next week.

Shivute revealed this to nbc News during the launch of the five-year strategic plan of the town council recently.

The Chairperson of the Otjinene Village Council, Lesley Kauandara, says plans to have the village graduate into a fully-fledged town council in 2025 are on track.

Kauandara shared this in an exclusive interview with the nbc News team at Otjinene.

According to Kauandara, Otjinene has the potential to become a town council given the council's targets in land delivery to aid with developing the village with assistance from key partners.

The Chairperson added that housing provision and new businesses coming on board are a great leap for Otjinene.

A number of dissatisfied residents from Arandis have been camping out in front of the Town Council, demanding land, since Sunday.

The residents, mainly elderly individuals, and pregnant women told the nbc News team that they are disheartened by the continuous need to rent accommodation. 

In light of this frustration, they have chosen to spend the night at the location with the intention of submitting their fourth petition to the town council.

The Karasburg community also raised its concerns with the minister regarding the alleged irregularities at the Town Council.

These include the dormancy of the Council's Built Together Housing Programme, irregular appointments, and water and electricity issues.

The community reiterated the complaints it lodged with the minister.

Minister Uutoni explained that replacements in any local authority under administration cannot be done overnight, as many would expect.

He denied having given preferential treatment to some community members.

Vendors operating at the Omuthiya Open Market say they are disappointed with the town council for allowing the market to be in a deplorable state.

This market, located in the Capital of Oshikoto is popular with locals and travelers for selling delicacies, among them this braaied pigeon.

But what lurks in the background of this busy market and just a stone's throw away are these deserted open market stalls.

They have now been turned into accommodation facilities by homeless people. 

Food is prepared in an open unhygienic area.

More than 100 senior citizens of Arandis staged a demonstration over alleged poor management by the town council.

The senior citizens have also appealed to the Council to write off their debts.
 
The elderly accuse the council of keeping tenders aside for friends and families of those in the council management.
 
They say this contributes to the high unemployment rate among residents of the town, particularly the youth.

The Khorixas Mayor, Lena Gaeses, is happy with the progress made towards the construction of the Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in the town.

Gaeses, says that once completed the VTC will have an impact on the lives of the residents and the image of the town.

Gaese revealed this in an interview with the nbc News team.

Gaeses believes, the opening of the Khorixas VTC will create more jobs for the residents.

She says the Town Council at its meeting with the Namibia Training Authority, agreed that less specialized jobs be reserved for local people.

All office-bearers at the Nkurenkuru Town Council have been re-elected.

Mayor Marcus Muti was re-elected for the second term, deputized by Fani Kaundu.

Muti says Nkurenkuru will continue to implement socio-economic development programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of its residents.

He believes residents of the town and the council can work together to reverse the effects of some of the social ills affecting them.

The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, says a request to write off debts of N$56 million by two town councils could cripple NamWater.

The request was made by the Okakarara and Otavi town councils for debt incurred due to poor revenue collection from rates and taxes.

Schlettwein said it's not a feasible decision to write off debt as it would financially cripple the water utility.

Namwater is owed N$637 million in debt. Of this, Okakarara and Otavi owe more than N$14 million and N$41 million, respectively.

A group of residents at Katima Mulilo in Zambezi staged a demonstration, demanding land delivery from the Town Council.

The demonstrators are also accusing the Town Council of allegedly failing to implement development projects promised during the elections.

"Unnecessary suspension of employees became rife here in Katima Mulilo Town Council, the delay of interview results, resulting in the appointment of any staff to occupy department positions which they or one does not qualify for."