Okahandja Magistrate’s Court yesterday granted bail to three former Swapo councillors of the town’s management committee.

The accused, Gideon Uwu-Khaeb – former chairperson of the management committee, Helmi Maruru and Hileni Iita all made their first court appearance yesterday and were granted bail in the amount of N$10 000 respectively.

In March 2020, then urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga suspended the Okahandja municipal council, including the three accused for, “the combined effect of non-compliance, poor management and maladministration is that the municipal council is unable or failing to perform its powers, duties and functions that have been conferred and imposed on and required of it”.

After dissolving the council, Mushelenga appointed an official from the ministry, Linus //Garoëb, to implement the directives of the minister at the council.

Their case has been postponed to 15 March to allow them to obtain legal representation. 

Confirming the arrest, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) spokesperson Josephine Nghituwamata said the allegations stem from the appointment of a strategic executive manager for finance, who performed poorly during the interview process. 

The alleged act of corruption was reported to the ACC in 2018 and investigations were carried out. 

“Statements were obtained and the docket was forwarded to the prosecutor general’s office for the decision. She then decided that the accused needed to appear before court,” said Nghituwamata.

The prosecutor general’s decision was made available in December 2021.