Walvis Bay Mayor Trevino Forbes is facing mounting criticism over claims of nearly N$22,000 in meal expenses from the municipality during a fully sponsored trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, last year. Allegations suggest that the trip itself was unauthorised.
Swapo councillor Ephraim Shozi has formally questioned the legitimacy of the mayor’s N$21,800 meal allowance. In a letter dated 20 November addressed to Walvis Bay chief executive Victoria Kapenda, Shozi raised concerns over the expenditure, pointing out that the trip lacked the necessary approval from the minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni.
Leaked council documents reveal that Forbes, who also serves as the deputy president of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), attended the African Urban Forum in Ethiopia from 4 to 6 September 2023.
Shozi’s letter further alleges that former acting chief executive of Walvis Bay, David Uushona, sought ministerial approval for the mayor’s trip on 28 August. However, Uushona indicated in his correspondence with the executive director of urban and rural development that the request would only be discussed at a special council meeting scheduled for 29 August due to time constraints.
Despite this, Shozi claims that no such meeting occurred, and Forbes proceeded with his trip to Ethiopia four days before the event began. The council only formally approved the trip on 8 October, weeks after Forbes had already returned.
Although the trip’s costs were fully covered by external sponsors, the request for ministerial approval reportedly included a meal allowance of N$21,800 for the mayor, in line with council policy.
Shozi has demanded accountability, questioning the actions of several officials involved in processing the payment. He asked Kapenda what steps would be taken against the finance manager who authorised the payment without proper documentation and against former acting CEO Uushona for approving the allowance and facilitating the trip without the minister’s consent.
Additionally, Shozi called for action against Mayor Forbes himself for disregarding the ministerial directive.
Municipal authorities have yet to publicly respond to these allegations.
Source: The Namibian
