Grootfontein in the dark over N$8.9m discrepancy  Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Grootfontein municipality has come under scrutiny following revelations in the auditor general’s report highlighting a significant discrepancy of over N$8.9 million between the bank balance reported in its financial statements and the reconciled cash book balance.  During a recent public hearing convened by the parliamentary standing committee on public accounts, officials were questioned over the variance, as well as several other irregularities identified in the financial year under review. According to the auditor general Junias Kandjeke’s findings, the financial statements for the 2019/2020 financial year reflected a bank balance of N$11.1 million. However, the actual reconciled cash book balance stood at only N$2.2 million, creating a difference of N$8.9 million. Committee members asked whether the municipality had investigated the reason for this discrepancy and, if so, what actions had been taken. “Has the Council investigated the reason for the difference? If yes, provide proof,” one of the questions posed to the municipality read.  The committee further demanded documentary evidence showing the actions taken to address the matter, including the recovery of any unaccounted funds. The committee also queried why the municipality’s finance department was still not adequately staffed despite ongoing audit recommendations.  According to the report, the finance department remained understaffed and lacked adequately trained personnel in key positions, which negatively impacted compliance with applicable laws and financial controls. The committee requested evidence of whether the municipality had since filled the critical vacancies or developed any plans to address the situation. In another area of concern, the auditor general found that the municipality’s fixed asset register was incomplete and lacked vital information such as serial numbers, dates of purchase, or itemised descriptions.  The committee asked the municipality to submit an updated asset register and confirm whether such omissions had been corrected in subsequent years. The hearing also revisited the finding that salary expenditures were overstated by N$320 248 due to incorrect journal entries. Questions were raised about whether corrective accounting entries had been made and if those responsible had been held accountable. Additionally, the municipality’s trade and other receivables were found to be overstated by N$1.6 million. The committee asked for a breakdown of how this amount arose and whether it had since been corrected. A further issue highlighted was the understatement of trade and other payables by N$2.2 million, which the committee noted could materially affect the financial position of the municipality. It sought to understand whether the Council had investigated this misstatement and what steps had been taken to correct it. Questions were also raised regarding non-compliance with section 87(1) of the Local Authorities Act, which requires municipalities to submit annual financial statements within three months after the end of the financial year. Grootfontein reportedly failed to meet this requirement, prompting the committee to ask for explanations and measures taken to improve compliance. Grootfontein has previously faced governance issues.  In 2022, the then minister of urban and rural development suspended the then chief executive officer Kisco Sinvula over allegations of misconduct, although the case was later dropped due to insufficient evidence. The public hearing is part of the standing committee’s routine examination of audit reports, aimed at ensuring public funds are properly accounted for and that local authorities implement audit recommendations.

#Grootfontein #Municipality #FinancialDiscrepancy #PublicAccounts #AuditorGeneral

Otjozondjupa Governor reaffirms Grootfontein-Tsumkwe road upgrade Otjozondjupa Governor reaffirms Grootfontein-Tsumkwe road upgrade NBC Online Tue, 07/15/2025 - 11:08

#Namibia #Otjozondjupa #Grootfontein #Tsumkwe #RoadUpgrade

Health Ministry provides transport support to farm Julianne Health Ministry provides transport support to farm Julianne NBC Online Sat, 07/12/2025 - 14:19

#HealthMinistry #TransportSupport #CommunityDevelopment #FarmJulianne #Grootfontein

Grootfontein’s N$217m debt triggers water system reform Hertta-Maria Amutenja Grootfontein Municipality says it is losing large volumes of water due to leakages and unaccounted use.  To address this, the town will begin installing prepaid water meters from August 2025, with plans to replace all conventional meters by December. While the move is widely seen as a way to recover unpaid bills, acting chief executive officer Indileni Lungameni said it is also aimed at fixing infrastructural inefficiencies that have cost the town millions. “We want to better account for water consumption or losses through leakages, improve the billing system, and automate the entire billing process,” Lungameni said. The municipality did not reveal the percentage of water being lost, but Lungameni pointed to the issue of “non-revenue water”—water that is produced but not billed due to leaks, faulty meters, or illegal connections. As of May 2025, municipal debts stood at N$217 million, up by 1% from the previous year.  The amount includes arrears for water, refuse removal, and property taxes.  The municipality hopes that prepaid meters will help reduce these debts. A former municipal technician familiar with the system said that towns of similar size often experience water losses between 25% and 30%. “You can’t fix water losses with meters alone. You need investment in infrastructure by replacing pipes, maintaining reservoirs, and monitoring pressure zones. But meters can help pinpoint where the losses are happening,” the technician said. On June 30, the municipality announced the launch of a comprehensive infrastructure master plan to guide long-term repairs and investment.  The municipality has appointed CEPM and Partners Engineers (Pty) Ltd to spearhead the plan’s development and implementation. The plan includes a status quo evaluation of roads, drainage, sewerage, and stormwater systems, an engineering determination of what is needed, and a prioritisation of projects in the short, medium, and long terms. The municipality has deployed 11 field officers, split into smaller teams, to collect data throughout Grootfontein. Residents have been asked to cooperate with the teams.

#WaterReform #Grootfontein #WaterManagement #PrepaidMeters #Infrastructure

Grootfontein municipality promises crackdown on disorderly bars Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Grootfontein municipality says it will take firm action against shebeen and bar owners who violate noise regulations and public order laws.  This follows complaints from residents about growing lawlessness in the town. “We are concerned about the bars and loud music from bars. In fact, on Monday, we had a very serious meeting and we are going to take strict measures against shebeen owners and other places of entertainment that are not adhering to the laws,” said acting chief executive officer of the municipality, Indileni Lungameni. Lungameni said the municipality has approached the Namibian Police Force to assist in enforcing compliance. “We are going to take strict measures with the assistance of the police. People must not play loud music and must install soundproof material on their premises,” he said. He also said the municipality plans to prohibit people from standing outside bars and will enforce a ban on barbecues held in front of these venues. “They should also not be any people standing outside the establishments, and there should be no barbecues outside,” Lungameni stated. Residents have raised concerns about loud music playing throughout the night, underage drinking, public urination, and disorderly behaviour outside drinking spots. Some residents accuse local authorities of failing to enforce existing laws, including the Liquor Act and municipal by-laws. Lungameni admitted that enforcement has been weak and said the main issue is ensuring licence conditions are upheld. “We are also engaging the police to enforce, especially with the liquor licences. So right now it’s just a matter of enforcing the conditions,” he said. He added that entertainment venues found violating licence terms could face closure or other penalties. Efforts to get comment from the Namibian Police’s Otjozondjupa regional commander were unsuccessful at the time of publication. A resident, David Sheefeni, described the town as “becoming unbearable”. “You can’t sleep because of the noise, and children walk past drunk people just to get to the shop. It’s dangerous,” he said. The liquor act of 1998 prohibits underage drinking and public consumption of alcohol. Municipal laws also limit noise, especially during designated rest hours. Residents say the increase in bars and entertainment spotsnear homes is making life difficult for families and the elderly.

#Grootfontein #Namibia #publicorder #loudmusic #shebeen

Pastor Buries 133 Unknown Souls in Mass Paupers' Grave After Nine Years At Morgue [Namibian] It is a chilly morning at Grootfontein.

#Namibia #Pastor #MassGraves #UnknownSouls #Grootfontein

Residents Want Election Promises Fulfilled [New Era] Grootfontein -- Grootfontein residents said they are growing tired of unfulfilled election promises and are hoping that those being elected to office will not only pay lip service but embark upon delivering tangible change.

#Namibia #Grootfontein #ElectionPromises #PoliticalChange #VoterRights

ECN confirms readiness for Grootfontein By-Elections ECN confirms readiness for Grootfontein By-Elections NBC Online Sun, 06/15/2025 - 17:56

#Elections #Namibia #Grootfontein #PollingOfficials #ElectoralCommission

PDM’s Nuses vows dignity and development for Grootfontein PDM’s Nuses vows dignity and development for Grootfontein NBC Online Sat, 06/14/2025 - 18:29

#Grootfontein #PDM #RosinaNuses #ByElections #AccessToWater

Mubita urges unity behind Amagulu in Grootfontein poll Mubita urges unity behind Amagulu in Grootfontein poll NBC Online Sat, 06/14/2025 - 18:07

#Grootfontein #Swapo #Election2025 #NamibiaPolitics #ByElections

Nandi-Ndaitwah Commends Ndf At 35th Anniversary Event [Namibian] President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Monday joined members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) in celebrating the force's 35th anniversary at the Grootfontein Military Base.

#Namibia #NDF35thAnniversary #NetumboNandiNdaitwah #NamibianDefenceForce #Grootfontein

NDF to celebrate 35 years of existence NDF to celebrate 35 years of existence NBC Online Fri, 05/30/2025 - 16:50

#NDF35Years #NamibianDefenceForce #MilitaryAnniversary #Grootfontein #Namibia

Grootfontein mortuary holds over 130 unclaimed bodies Grootfontein mortuary holds over 130 unclaimed bodies NBC Online Mon, 05/26/2025 - 17:18

#Grootfontein #Mortuary #UnclaimedBodies #Namibia #Burial

Grootfontein residents promised development Grootfontein residents promised development NBC Online Mon, 05/26/2025 - 14:34

#Grootfontein #Development #ServiceDelivery #ByElection #SwapoParty

Eenamanana doSwapo otadi twikile koGrootfontein Ongudu yovaleli voSwapo koGrootfontein otai lundile ongudu oyo ya pewa oilonga ya kwatakanifwa nelelo longudu kutya itai liufa kekotamhango notai eta omatopauko mongudu eshi kwa teelelika omahoololo ongudu. Ovaleli ve li lwopo22 ova shangela presidente Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah omukanda, tava nyenyeta kombinga yomaliumbato ongudu yovanhu ava ve lineekelelwa oilonga va hoololwa kuhamushangandjai Sophia Shaningwa opo ikale tai wilike omahoololo oikandjo, oitai nosho yo oshooongalele shopashikandjohoololo shokuhoolola ovalaleli vongudu. Omukanda okwa li wa nyolwa konima yomafiku atanho eshi ongudu yovanhu ava kwa li ya tumwa okudja kombelewa yaShaningwa momafiku 15 Apilili. Oshinima eshi oshe ya pefimbo opo omafeekelo a ninga ahapu kutya ongudu ei yovanhu oya tumwa shi na sha noshoongalele shoSwapo osho tashi ka kala ko momudo 2027. Ovaleli ava ve li 22 otava ti kutya ongudu oyo ye lineekelelwa oilonga itai fimaneke eenghono davo notai longo i li kondje yekotamhango longudu. “Itatu likale nande oukwashili naasho tashi linyenge, ashike ongudu ei ya tumwa oye ya okukuna okutopauka mokati koilyo yoSwapo yomoshitopolwa shetu pakulundulula omikanda doveta yongudu shi nasha nomauwa avo vene, e shiivike ashike kuvo,” Osho va ti momukanda ngaho. Nandi-Ndaitwah, Shaningwa nomunashipundi wovaleli voSwapo, ova tuma ovanhu ava koshitopolwahoololo shaTjozondjupa, Pohamba Shifeta naye okwa li a tumbulwa mo momukanda. Ongudu ei okwa li ya tumwa i ka ninge omalilongekido omahoololo opaitai okuhoolola okandidate youkamusela koGrootfonten. Mongudu ei okwa li mwa kwatelwa, mokati ashike kavakwao, omupedu mayola mukulu waVenduka Ian Subasubani nomuyakuli waShaningwa, Teddeus Shithigona. Moilyo ikwao vati omwa kwatelwa ovakwaita vatatu ve li moshipundi shetulumuko noilyo yopolifi. Oilyo yokomitiye yongudu wiliki yopashitopolwa momukanda wayo oya ti kakwa li ya pitikwa i tye sha pefimbo kwa li ongudu oyo ya tumwa koshitopolwa oko ya ninga oshoongalele. Ova ti ovanhu vamwe ovo va tumwa oko ove va lombwela nemanguluko kutya kakwa li va hoololwa pashitopolwa nonghee nee kave na efiku va tale kenyenyeto tali di koilyo yokomitiye yongudu wiliki yopashitopolwa osho. EDUNDAKANO Ova lundila yoo vali ongudu oyo ya tumwa koshitopolwa shavo kutya oya eta edundakano moshitopolwa. Momafiku 21 Apilili, omuunganeki woshikandjo shoGrootfontein James Shipunda vati okwa li a lombwela oilyo yewiliko loshikandjo okupitila mokatumwalaka kokoWhatsApp kutya onguduilonga oyo, okwa li ya hala okushakena navo potundi 18h00 omutenya oo, noshoongalele shokuhoolola ovaleli vongudu koshikandjo oko otashi ka ningilwa mohotela i li eekilomita 10 pondje yaGrootfontein konima yaasho. “Mupya munene, etumwalaka eli kakwa li la tambulwa ko nawa shaashi okwa li la yandjwa moule wokafimbo kaxupi, ndee noPeace Garden oi li hamungala eekilomita 10 pondje yaGrootfontein, opu na oupyakadi wosheendifo,” Osho va ti ngaho. Shipunda okwa ti okwa li a lombwelwa kutya inava pumbwa okushakena nongudu oyo ya tumwa koshikandjo shavo. ‘OSHIKUMUNGU OSHA POTOKONONWA’ Shipunda Omaandaxa okwa lombwela oThe Namibian kutya oshikumungu eshi osha potokononwa nale, ashike okwaanya okupopya ngee omilandu da pumbiwa oda shikulwa ngaa. “Pula ava ve kupa ehokololo,” Osho a ti ngaho. The Namibian okwa uda kutya Nandi-Ndaitwah okwa li a ifana oilyo yongudu wiliki yoSwapo koGrootfontein keumbo lepangelo konima kwa li a shangelwa omukanda tau popi vati “omaliumbato inaa yuka nekotamhango inali landulwa” a ningwa kongudu oyo kwa li ya tumwa owina i ka longe osho ya lombwelwa. Sophia Shaningwa Okwa li va holoka komesho yongudu wiliki yongudu moshoongalele sha li ko momafiku 28 Apilili konguloshi. Oshoongalele eshi okwa li ashike she ya pexulilo potundi 04h00 yefiku la landula. ‘OMOLWASHIKE’ Shaningwa Omaandaxa okwa pula kutya oshike ovanhu vomoGrootfontein tava nyenyeta ashike paife konima eekandidate da nyolifwa nale. “Omikalo di li ngaho ove di hanga peni?” Osho a pula ngaho. Oilyo imwe yoSwapo koGrootfontein oya ti ongudu otashi dulika iha findane omahoololo oo taa ka ningwa momafiku 17 Juni, shaashi inava hafela omukalo oo okandidate kwa li ya hoololwa. The post Eenamanana doSwapo otadi twikile koGrootfontein appeared first on The Namibian.

#Namibia #SWAPO #Grootfontein #Politics #NetumboNandiNdaitwah

Swapo rift deepensat Grootfontein Shaningwa’s task team accused of overstepping mandate A group of Grootfontein Swapo leaders has accused a task team linked to the party leadership of unconstitutional conduct and sowing division ahead of party structure elections. About 22 of these leaders wrote a letter to president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, complaining about the conduct of the task team appointed by secretary general Sophia Shaningwa to oversee the election of sections, branches and an extraordinary district conference. Their petition came five days after the task team was allegedly deployed from Shaningwa’s office on 15 April. This comes at a time that speculation is rife that the deployment is linked to Swapo’s 2027 congress. The 22 leaders claim the task force is overstepping its mandate and that it operates outside the boundaries of the party’s constitution. “We will not shy away from the truth and the reality, but this task team came to sow disunity among Swapo members within our district by turning legislative documents of the party above their own interest, only known to them,” they said in the letter. Nandi-Ndaitwah, Shaningwa and the chairperson of the Swapo leaders assigned to the Otjozondjupa region, Pohamba Shifeta, were also copied in on the letter. The team was sent to conduct branch elections in preparation of electing a councillor candidate for the Grootfontein elections. The task team consisted, among others, of former Windhoek deputy mayor Ian Subasubani and Shaningwa’s aide, Taddeus Shithigona. Neither Subasubani nor Shithigona could be reached for comment yesterday. Other members allegedly included three retired army and police members. The district executive committee members claim in their petition that their voices were “silenced and ignored” during the meeting with the task force. They claim some of the task force members would openly tell them they were not appointed by the district and would never consider any concerns raised by the district executive committee members. ‘CHAOS’ They also accused the task team of causing chaos in the district as they reportedly revived some sections that became dormant between five and 10 years ago. On 21 April, Grootfontein district coordinator James Shipunda allegedly notified the district executive members via a WhatsApp message that the task team wanted to meet with them at 18h00 that afternoon, and the extraordinary district conference would be convened at a hotel situated 10km outside Grootfontein thereafter. “Unfortunately, this communication was not well received as it was on short notice, and with the Peace Garden, almost 10km outside Grootfontein, transport is a challenge,” they said. Shipunda said he was told they were not in any position to meet with the task team. Swapo’s candidate for the Grootfontein by-election, Nelao Amagulu, was elected at this gathering. ‘MATTER RESOLVED’ Shipunda yesterday told The Namibian the matter has already been resolved, but declined to say whether due process was followed. “Ask those who gave you the story,” he said. The Namibian understands Nandi-Ndaitwah summoned members of the Grootfontein Swapo executive committee to State House after the letter written to her alleged “unconstitutional and disorderly conduct” by the special task team. They appeared before the party’s politburo meeting on 28 April in the evening. The meeting was only adjourned at 04h00 the next day. It continued on 29 April with Nandi-Ndaitwah and Swapo administrator France Kaundinge, who took the minutes of the meeting. Otjozondjupa coordinator Imms Namaseb did not answer calls to his cellphone yesterday, but on Sunday said if the party campaigned well at Grootfontein, it could win back the constituency. ‘WHY NOW’ Shaningwa yesterday asked why the people of Grootfontein were only complaining now after the candidates have already been registered. “Where did they get those kinds of behaviours?” she asked. Some Swapo members at Grootfontein said the party may not win the by-election scheduled for 17 June, as they are not happy with the way the candidate was elected. Details about the Grootfontein saga adds to ongoing speculation about Swapo’s succession politics. Shaningwa, who currently has administrative influence over who is elected, has been linked to the vice presidency of the party in the 2027 party elective congress. The Namibian last week reported that Shaningwa and Nandi-Ndaitwah appear to be clashing. Namibian Sun has over the past few weeks reported that Shaningwa has failed to attend key national events. The post Swapo rift deepensat Grootfontein appeared first on The Namibian.

#Swapo #NamibiaPolitics #Grootfontein #PoliticalRift #Unity

Candidates in Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein by-elections announced Candidates in Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein by-elections announced NBC Online Fri, 05/09/2025 - 11:40

#Namibia #ByElections #Otjiwarongo #Grootfontein #Election2025

Kudus Sink Grootfontein [New Era] Coastal outfit Kudus recorded a hard-fought victory in the Namibia Rugby Union league on Saturday as they aim to close the gap on league leaders Wanderers.

#NamibiaRugby #RugbyUnion #KudusRugby #Grootfontein #Victory

Swapo Party attends to Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo section elections petitions Swapo Party attends to Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo section elections petitions NBC Online Mon, 04/21/2025 - 15:44

#SwapoParty #Elections2025 #Grootfontein #Otjiwarongo #NamibiaPolitics

Calls to scrap just-held Swapo Grootfontein District elections Calls to scrap just-held Swapo Grootfontein District elections NBC Online Sun, 04/20/2025 - 16:13

#Swapo #Grootfontein #Elections2025 #PoliticalSummit #PartyPolitics

ECN starts preparing for Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein by-elections The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has outlined its preparations for upcoming by-elections at Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa region. The by-elections are scheduled to take place before July. ECN Otjozondjupa region electoral officer Victoria Amutenya says vacancies arose after the resignation of Elder Filipe of Grootfontein and Marlayn Mbakera of Otjiwarongo from the Otjozondjupa Regional Council on 20 March. Both are now members of parliament. “The two former constituency councillors resigned from their positions at the Otjozondjupa Regional Council on 20 March 2025, and our offices were notified on the same day,” Amutenya says. The ECN has started voter education campaigns for supplementary voter registration on 24 March, and will continue until 12 April at both Grootfontein and Otjiwarongo. Amutenya says training for ECN officials conducting supplementary voter registration, targeting newly eligible 18-year-olds and people who have relocated to Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein is scheduled for 5 to 8 April. Actual voter registration will take place from 10 to 12 April in both constituencies. The voting date is anticipated to be in June, as the by-elections must be held within 90 days of 20 March. “The exact date will be announced by the president as per the ECN laws,” Amutenya says. According to 2024 ECN statistics, the Otjiw arongo constituency has 27 566 registered voters, while Grootfontein has 17 898 registered voters. The post ECN starts preparing for Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein by-elections appeared first on The Namibian.

#Namibia #ByElections #Otjiwarongo #Grootfontein #ECN

Grootfontein youth develop app to help combat crime Grootfontein youth develop app to help combat crime NBC Online Thu, 03/27/2025 - 19:17

#Grootfontein #YouthEmpowerment #CrimePrevention #TechForGood #Innovation