Politicians sent back over poor delimitation consultations
In one case, a councillor consulted 71 people in a constituency of over 22 000 residents.
Several constituency councillors have been sent back to their communities to do proper consultations regarding the ongoing boundaries delimitation and demarcation exercise, after the responsible commission was fed half-baked reports from supposed engagements with communities.In the Khomas Region, where the least populated constituency has 22 000 residents, one councillor allegedly submitted a report where only 71 people were consulted, representing a paltry 0.3%.
The exercise is led by the fifth Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission, appointed by the president. The commission is responsible for determining the boundaries and names of regions, constituencies and local authorities.
Community members in several regions such as Zambezi, Erongo and Khomas have bemoaned that regional governors and constituency councillors made submissions recommending several changes without their input. The situation, in some instances, left the commission with no choice but to cancel the sessions in order to allow for more public consultations.
The commission’s chairperson, acting judge Peter Unengu, yesterday told NMH that he could not give a response at this point because he would have to get input from other commissioners, but added that the commission will express itself on the matter and how it would impact the progress of the process.
'Misunderstood'
Last week, the Khomas Regional Council had to cancel a two-day meeting because councillors had little to no public input to present to the delimitation council. This is apparently because some misunderstood the assignment, while others said there was no public interest.
Community activist Shaun Gariseb criticised the councillors for planning to submit the input of a handful of people as a proposal for the demarcation of constituencies and regions, saying the well-being of thousands of people can't be decided by a predetermined position and a handful of people .
“Judge Unengu was agitated as the regional council and governor’s presentation was questioned as to who was consulted and how they came up with boundaries and if they are in line with sustainable development,” he said.
Speaking on The Evening Review yesterday, Khomas chief regional officer Clement Mafwila said various stakeholders were expected to come to the meeting with their own proposals regarding boundaries, but they showed up empty-handed.
“It was only us [regional council] who had a proposal, derived from the reports of constituency councillors. The idea was never to impose our proposal on the people, but to compare it with reports of other stakeholders, but they showed up with nothing,” he said on the TV show.
Gariseb said the proceedings had to be postponed because of disagreements. “Our necessary intervention rightfully resulted in the commission allowing the residents to be consulted and give their input in 14 days. The councillors proposed boundaries without consulting the community; they lied about having consulted the residents.”
“The Katutura Central councillor consulted seven people from the community development committee and in Katutura East, they consulted 31 people. After several councillors made embarrassing concessions, the chairperson said time should be given to consult the public."
Not interested
Khomasdal constituency councillor Samuel Angolo said he circulated an invitation to residents on social media platforms and various radio stations, but they did not heed the call.
“We had a meeting on 13 June and the attendance was poor. The people did not come. I don't know why they don't attend. We have proof that we invited them. We will have new consultations on Saturday and Sunday this weekend and we will present that to the chair on 27 June,” he said.
Piet Adams of the Windhoek Rural constituency said the failure to consult the public is now water under the bridge and he has already started consulting his constituency on the delimitation and demarcation process.
According to him, they have explained to the regional council’s office why they failed to consult the public before last week’s aborted meeting.
“The truth is we had a limited time frame, but just wait for our response. We have now started with public consultations. On Saturday, I was in Dordabis and yesterday [Wednesday], I was at Satanslocht and Baumgartsbrunn and the turnout was good. We understand that the commission was not happy with the way we did the consultations in the beginning,” he said.
Katutura Central councillor Rodman Katjaimo echoed Adams’ sentiments, saying the friction between his office and community members has been forgotten and they are now looking to the future.
His plan is to consult his constituency this weekend, he said. - [email protected]