Katima Mulilo Town Council orders companies to collect vehicles tied to unapproved land deal

By Jackson Kunatela

The Katima Mulilo Town Council has ordered three companies to retrieve vehicles and equipment linked to a controversial land-exchange arrangement that was carried out without mandatory ministerial approval.

Town officials confirmed that eight vehicles, along with laptops and a drone, must be collected within 14 days after the council formally deregistered the assets earlier this month. The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development had previously instructed the council to halt the use of the vehicles and seize all property associated with the deal.

According to officials, the land in question was exchanged by the council with three private companies without approval from the Minister, a requirement under Namibia’s local authority land regulations. Because the transaction was conducted outside the legal framework, all assets received as part of the exchange must now be returned to their rightful owners.

The companies and assets listed include:

• Malena Property Investment
  • 1 Mahindra 4×4 pickup

• Risk Based Solutions
  • 2 Toyota Fortuners
  • 4 quad bikes
  • 2 laptops
  • 1 drone

• Dr. Kombo Group of Companies
  • 1 Nissan Almera
  • 1 Mahindra 4×4 pickup
  • 1 Toyota Start-Up

Town officials say the deregis­tration of the vehicles was necessary to ensure compliance with national legislation governing land disposal by local authorities.

One Africa News has spoken to the Katima Mulilo Town Council’s Head of Communications, who confirmed that the council is following ministerial directives as the matter continues to unfold.