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.
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The Namibian
Melody Swartbooi was elected mayor in December 2025
“Swartbooi was elected mayor in December 2025 following the regional council and local authority elections.”
LPM withdraws Keetmanshoop mayor SwartbooiInformanté
Melody Swartbooi was withdrawn as Mayor of Keetmanshoop with immediate effect
“MELODY Swartbooi has been withdrawn as Mayor of Keetmanshoop with immediate effect.”
Melody Swartbooi withdrawn as Keetmanshoop mayorInformanté
Melody Swartbooi had representation revoked on the Keetmanshoop Town Council
“Swartbooi's representation of the party on the Keetmanshoop Town Council has been revoked.”
Melody Swartbooi withdrawn as Keetmanshoop mayorThe Namibian
Mayor Melody Swartbooi is assigned a Mercedes-Benz from the rental arrangement
“She confirmed that one of the rented vehicles is a Mercedes-Benz assigned to Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi.”
Keetmans under fire over N$391 000 monthly vehicle rentalsThe Namibian
LPM deputy lead youth commander Melody Swartbooi said the forum marks a shift from viewing young people as future leaders to recognising them as leaders of today
“LPM deputy lead youth commander Melody Swartbooi said the forum marks a shift from viewing young people as future leaders to recognising them as leaders of today.”
LPM launches youth forum, calls for governanceNew Era
Melody Swartbooi, Mayor of Keetmanshoop urged trainees to adopt a culture of discipline to honour government investment
“Delivering the welcoming address, Melody Swartbooi, Mayor of Keetmanshoop, issued a stirring call to action, urging trainees to adopt a "culture of discipline" to honour the government's investment in their future.”
Mayor encourages discipline at Keetmans VTCNew Era
Melody Swartbooi characterised the centre as a beacon of hope and opportunity
“Describing the new facility as more than just a collection of classrooms, Swartbooi characterised the centre as a "beacon of hope and opportunity."”
Mayor encourages discipline at Keetmans VTCNew Era
Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi said anti-graft body's presence was part of collective commitment to promote transparency, accountability and ethical leadership
“On her part, Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi said the anti-graft body's presence was part of a collective commitment of government, institutions, the private sector, youth and civil societies to promote transparency, accountability and ethical leadership in Namibia.”
ACC consults on anti-corruption strategyThe Namibian
Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi urged the committee to ensure their recommendations include budgeting strategies for informal traders
“Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi urges the committee to ensure their recommendations include budgeting strategies in assisting informal traders going forward.”
Shiimi flags poor execution of projects in ||Kharas regionThe 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 →