EDITORIAL: Fragmented local authorities hinder development

The suspension of two senior managers at the Walvis Bay municipality on Wednesday has opened Pandora’s box on how management and politicians at local authorities countrywide continue to work in silos - to the detriment of ratepayers.

The controversial contract between Redforce Debt Management and the municipality, which is at the centre of the suspensions, also indicates the level of disconnect between politicians and management.

Politicians will always take decisions aimed at pleasing the public, regardless of how it impacts the operations of the local authorities they serve. This while management always pushes to ensure that the interests of the institution are prioritised. Without a working framework between the two, fights and clashes are bound to be the order of the day because each structure is pushing its own agenda. The fragmentation between politicians and management at local authorities is made even worse during election years when politicians go out to the communities to canvas for votes. They promise voters heaven on earth without consulting management on what resources the institution has in the kitty. It’s laughable for politicians on the Walvis Bay council to claim they had no knowledge that Redforce was collecting debts on behalf of the municipality. This is merely a case of politicians trying to shift accountability instead of shouldering the blame together with management.

The lack of consultation between councillors and management has destroyed countless local authorities across the country, with the public always left clutching the short end of the stick.