Also known as: Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi · Former mayor of Keetmanshoop Melody Swartbooi · former Mayor of Keetmanshoop
Melody Swartbooi — Keetmanshoop mayor recalled by the Landless People's Movement in June 2026.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Landless People's Movement mayor Melody Swartbooi was recalled in June
“The election follows Landless People's Movement mayor Melody Swartbooi's recall in June.”
Swapo councillor Blaauw elected as new Keetmans mayorThe Namibian
Melody Swartbooi was recalled by the party in June following disputes
“Swartbooi was recalled by the party in June following disputes.”
LPM replaces former Keetmans mayorWindhoek Observer
Melody Swartbooi alleged her dismissal was retaliation for refusing to interfere with ACC investigation
“Swartbooi alleged her dismissal was retaliation for refusing to interfere with an ACC investigation into a N$3.4 million contract, and claimed senior leaders falsely accused her of collaborating with SWAPO.”
High Court declares Keetmanshoop council’s no-confidence vote unlawfulThe Namibian
Melody Swartbooi was removed as Keetmanshoop mayor
“This also comes just weeks after the removal of Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi.”
Keetmanshoop acting CEO recalled over alleged procurement breachThe Namibian
The party dismissed former mayor Melody Swartbooi
“The party dismissed the former mayor a week ago after she allegedly failed to ensure that a motion to pass a vote of no confidence against two fellow LPM councillors was brought to the council.”
F*ck you all – Swartbooi to LPM councillors, ousted mayorThe Namibian
Melody Swartbooi was sacked as mayor and recalled from the town council by the Landless People's Movement (LPM)
“Former mayor of Keetmanshoop in the ||Kharas region Melody Swartbooi says she remains a 'proud' member of the Landless People's Movement (LPM) despite being sacked as mayor and recalled from the town council by the party.”
Axed Keetmans mayor pledges allegiance to LPMThe Namibian
Melody Swartbooi was recalled as Keetmanshoop mayor
“The development comes just days after the LPM recalled Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi, a move that has triggered questions and demands for clarity from the initiators of the action.”
Fresh LPM fallout after vehicle recallInformanté
Melody Swartbooi was removed from her position as Mayor of Keetmanshoop by the LPM
“The above are words of the former Mayor of Keetmanshoop, Melody Swartbooi, who was unceremoniously removed from her position by the Landless People's Movement (LPM)”
Ousted Keetmanshoop Mayor Melody Swartbooi speaks outInformanté
Melody Swartbooi dispelled allegations of being a SWAPO infiltrator
“Swartbooi dispelled allegations of being a SWAPO infiltrator, adding that being a mayor requires working with councillors from different parties for the development of any settlement.”
Ousted Keetmanshoop Mayor Melody Swartbooi speaks outThe Namibian
Melody Swartbooi was recalled from her position as Keetmanshoop mayor
“The Landless Peoples' Movement (LPM) leadership has opted not to address the reasons for the recall of Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi over the weekend.”
LPM snub ‘suspended’ party members at KeetmanshoopThe Keetmanshoop municipal council has elected Swapo councillor Emrico Blaauw as the town's new mayor, with Beata Set as deputy mayor. The election follows the recall of LPM mayor Melody Swartbooi in June.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Keetmanshoop municipal council has elected Swapo councillor Emrico Blaauw as the town's new mayor, with Beata Set as deputy mayor. The election follows the recall of LPM mayor Melody Swartbooi in June.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Landless People's Movement has nominated Kalan Goliath to fill the vacant Keetmanshoop municipal seat left by former mayor Melody Swartbooi, who was recalled by the party in June. Goliath's appointment is awaiting completion of statutory procedures including gazetting and ministerial approval.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The High Court declared that Keetmanshoop municipal council meetings held on 7 May and 4 June 2026, at which councillors Easter Isaak and Anneliza Knaus were removed from the management committee, violated the law, standing rules, and the Constitution. The court ruled the no-confidence motion procedurally defective and ordered that Isaak and Knaus be restored to their positions.
10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The acting chief executive of Keetmanshoop municipality was recalled by councillors over alleged financial non-compliance, including a financial services company appointed without following procurement procedures and incomplete financial records. The municipality is also facing legal and governance challenges, including a court dispute over its management committee composition.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Landless People's Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi dismissed ousted Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi after she allegedly failed to ensure a motion of no confidence against two fellow LPM councillors was brought to council, with derogatory WhatsApp messages and audio recordings revealing long-standing tensions between them.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi says she remains a proud LPM member despite being recalled from the town council by the party, which has not provided reasons for her withdrawal. LPM spokesperson confirms she remains an ordinary member, neither suspended nor expelled.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Landless People's Movement has ordered Guame Stephanus, the party's second deputy operative secretary in Keetmanshoop, to immediately return a vehicle assigned to him for party duties. The directive comes days after the LPM recalled Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi, and Stephanus says the instructions were issued without explanation.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Keetmanshoop Mayor Melody Swartbooi, removed from office by the Landless People's Movement, has disputed claims of being a SWAPO infiltrator and alleged she suffered intimidation, control, and bullying from LPM leadership. She argued that mayors must work with councillors from different parties for development and questioned why LPM applies coalition standards inconsistently, noting the party works with SWAPO in Gobabis.
16 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Landless Peoples' Movement recalled Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi from her position and council representation over the weekend, citing unspecified reasons. A chaotic meeting involving police and a failed follow-up discussion have left party members divided and questioning the leadership's handling of the dispute.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Landless People's Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi and other party leaders were forced to flee a public meeting in Keetmanshoop on Saturday after chaos erupted over the recall of town mayor Melody Swartbooi. Police advised that the meeting could not continue, though the party attributed the disruption to a small group including suspended member Joseph Isaacks and said they would address the matter at a press conference.
15 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Landless People's Movement accused SWAPO of infiltration tactics after a chaotic meeting in Keetmanshoop over the weekend; LPM MP Dawid Eigub said the party would not be affected by such disruptions. A suspended Keetmanshoop councillor, Joseph Isaacks, disputed the claims and said he had been invited to the meeting by Eigub.
15 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Landless People's Movement rejected claims that crowds were antagonistic towards party leader Bernadus Swartbooi at a chaotic weekend meeting, saying instead that attendees were upset over the sudden end of the meeting without receiving answers they sought. The party indicated it will host a press conference on Monday following the disruption, which occurred after the firing of Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi.
14 June 2026 · Informanté →
Residents of informal settlements in Keetmanshoop face prolonged water supply disruptions as communal taps and pipes are vandalized or broken, forcing them to walk long distances or pay for water from relatives in other areas.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Landless People's Movement withdrew Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi from her position without disclosing a reason, prompting supporters to question their party loyalty and claim the removal violated legal procedures under the Local Authorities Act.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi says Landless People's Movement (LPM) members interviewed municipality staff days before she was removed as mayor and council member on Friday. LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa denied the party instructed party leaders to conduct such interviews, while Swartbooi says she questioned party member Willy Higoam about the alleged investigations.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Landless People's Movement has withdrawn Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi from her position and revoked her council representation with immediate effect, six months after her election in December 2025. The party cited internal processes and strategic redeployment of talent but provided no specific reasons for the removal.
6 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Landless People's Movement has withdrawn Melody Swartbooi as Mayor of Keetmanshoop with immediate effect, revoking her party representation on the town council in accordance with the Local Authorities Act.
6 June 2026 · Informanté →
Keetmanshoop municipality pays N$391,000 a month to rent 26 vehicles from Avis Fleet, including a Mercedes-Benz for the mayor, prompting criticism from councillors who call the expenditure wasteful given the municipality's financial constraints.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Landless People's Movement faces growing internal tensions, with former councillor Joseph Isaacks accusing leader Bernadus Swartbooi of running the party dictatorially and the party suspending former mayor McDonald Hanse over alleged involvement in forming a new political party. The LPM's spokesperson denies disunity claims and says the party operates within constitutional rules, while Hanse contests his suspension and disputes the allegations against him.
19 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Landless People's Movement has launched a Youth Governance Forum to position young people as key drivers of democratic transformation through active participation in implementing the party's agenda. The forum, aimed at addressing governance, accountability, and inequality, marks a shift toward recognizing youth as leaders of today rather than the future.
29 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre was officially inaugurated in the //Kharas region. Mayor Melody Swartbooi urged trainees to adopt a culture of discipline and take responsibility for their studies, emphasizing that the centre's success depends on the students' commitment to their education.
27 March 2026 · New Era →
Some Keetmanshoop residents have criticised a Toyota Namibia advertisement on a cemetery wall, saying its "Here. For life" tagline is insensitive to families with loved ones buried there. Toyota says it donated the wall in exchange for a year of advertising and that the tagline, introduced before the cemetery opportunity arose, is meant to reflect the durability of its products rather than comment on human life.
25 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Anti-Corruption Commission held a consultative workshop in Keetmanshoop with //Kharas regional stakeholders to gather input for the 3rd National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2030. ACC Director General Paulus Noa emphasized that fighting corruption and promoting ethical values is a collective responsibility requiring preventative measures across all sectors of society.
23 March 2026 · New Era →
A parliamentary standing committee has identified poor execution and delays in government-funded projects across the ||Kharas region, with committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi calling for officials to take project implementation more seriously and improve accountability to parliament.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →