By Confidente Reporter
THE Swapo district executive committee for Khorixas in the Kunene region recently voted in favour of a no confidence motion against that town’s mayor, Gerson Goagoseb with contention that he is failing to perform.
The motion was proposed Sunday afternoon during a lengthy meeting which garnered the support of 23 committee members. Only one member voted against the motion.
Part of the arguments put forward in supporting the motion is that Goagoseb is no longer accountable to the committee and that he once made a tribal statement saying that he will not allow an Owambo to become the town council’s next chief executive officer.
It was also alleged at the meeting that Goagoseb reportedly connived with regional coordinators to go on with the controversial N$7 million road tender although the district executive committee requested it to be put on ice and have rife allegations of maladministration in the way it was awarded investigated.
It is further alleged that Goagoseb on various occasions defied the committee’s orders and that he makes unilateral decisions without consulting.
“He has displayed conduct unbecoming of an official by betraying the public’s trust. His blatant disregard for the committee and abuse of authority has become more of a liability.
“The vote of no confidence is a warning to corrupt minded officials. This simply demonstrates that enough is enough. Khorixas cannot continue to be in the news for all the wrong reasons. We need to grow,” a source said on condition of anonymity.
In his defence, Goagoseb this week said that the no confidence vote is a witch-hunt to get rid of him because many tried to corrupt him but failed. He said that the vote has to do with the vacant CEO post which several committee members want but tried without success to have him lower the requirements.
“This issue has to do with the vacant CEO position. Everyone wants to be the CEO but because I refused to lower the requirements, they see me as a threat. The CEO should be someone properly qualified in terms of administration and someone who has the drive to take the town to the next level. Those in the district executive committee do not qualify and they tried to twist my arm to lower the requirements. I refused so that is why they are after me,” Goagoseb explained.
Khorixas has in recent times been described as a town that suffers from a lack of economic development and employment opportunities, which led to frustration and outward migration among many of the town’s youth. The unemployment rate in town is estimated to be around 70 percent. At some point, there were reports that the town’s informal settlement had neither water nor electricity
In conclusion however, Goagoseb said that he is not shaken by the vote saying the committee does not have the power to get rid of him that easily. “I am still in office. They still have to go regionally for their claims to be investigated and make recommendations to the politburo.”