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FORMER Windhoek councillor Desiree Davids is suing the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) for more than N$2 million, claiming the party unlawfully suspended her in July last year.

Davids, who served as an IPC councillor from 1 December 2020 to 29 July 2021, filed a lawsuit against the party in the Windhoek High Court on Wednesday. She was suspended after the party levelled allegations of misconduct against her.

In September last year, the IPC withdrew her from the city council.

In her claim, Davids is alleging that she suffered a loss of income of about N$1,95 million as a result of her suspension and removal as a councillor. She is claiming the financial loss is the salary and allowances she would have received as a councillor for the remaining 50 months of her tenure.

Davids only served in the council for seven months. The IPC suspended her after it was reported that the city’s property department had fast-tracked the approval of her application to buy a plot in Windhoek’s Rocky Crest area.

An investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) cleared Davids of any wrongdoing in September this year.

Davids notes in her claim against the IPC that the ACC said there was no evidence that warranted the submission of its case docket to the prosecutor general for a decision to prosecute.

She also claimed that on 27 September this year, the IPC spokesperson was quoted in a local newspaper as saying Davids had been found guilty on 11 charges by the IPC Khomas regional disciplinary committee, and that she was not fit to represent the party at any forum.

David says these statements were wrongful and defamatory, and were published to tarnish her good name, reputation and human dignity.

She further claims the comments about her caused her “unbearable psychological trauma, distress, pain and suffering, fear, shame and dishonour”.

In addition to suing the IPC for N$1,95 million for loss of income, Davids is also claiming N$300 000 in damages for defamation.

She is further demanding that the party publicly apologise to her.

Davids is suing the Windhoek City Council as well, claiming N$116 942 for gratuity benefits that she says she lost due to her suspension as councillor.

According to a payslip filed at the court, Davids was paid a monthly gross salary of N$56 117 as a councillor. After deductions, her nett monthly salary was N$38 980.

A letter, dated 18 October 2022, sent to IPC by Davids’ legal representative, Francois Bangamwabo, states that the decision to withdraw and terminate Davids’ mandate as a councillor was not preceded by the requisite proper, thorough and conclusive investigations by the party.

“The impugned decision was thus manifestly procedurally and substantively unfair as there were no valid grounds on which IPC based their findings for the removal of our client,” Bangamwabo stated.

Contacted for comment, IPC spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge said he did not see the letter and referred The Namibian to the party’s national secretary general, Christine Aochamus.

However, Aochamus did not respond to questions sent to her.

Windhoek council spokesperson Harold Akwenye confirmed the city received Davids’ letter of demand, saying its company secretary is studying the document.