Entire Omaruru council suspended

THE entire Omaruru town council was suspended yesterday with immediate effect and without remuneration until further notice.

They are Swapo’s Phillip Nghipandulwa, Tuli Gebhardt and Johannes Hamutenya; RDP’s Kretensia Garises and Albertus Naruseb (Deputy Mayor); UDF’s Christiaan Nanuseb (Chairman of the Management Committee); and Nudo’s Vincent Kahua (Mayor).

This was done as a “last resort” because of the council’s failure to address serious issues of alleged mismanagement as required by the minister for the past nearly two years, the ministry announced. The suspension was also gazetted yesterday.

“This means that as from today all the powers of council are vested in, and will be exercised by the Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, Charles Namoloh,” said Deputy Minister Priscilla Beukes at a special press conference held at Omaruru yesterday.

Namoloh authorised Linus //Garoeb (former chief regional officer of Erongo) to exercise all the said powers, duties and functions on his behalf. //Garoeb will be based at Omaruru to execute this mandate and will be supported, whenever necessary, by ministerial staff, said Beukes.

She said this action is not based on any political influence but merely aimed at ensuring discipline and adherence to national laws, policies, regulations and directives. It seeks to take governance to the people and promote participatory democracy for sustainable development within the framework of national laws and policies.

“Above all, it is our mandate to ensure adherence by all institutions within this sector to these national laws, policies and directives,” Beukes said.

Within this mandate, particularly with regards to Omaruru Municipal Council, there had been a number of directives by the former minister Jerry Ekandjo, and Namoloh, to rectify a number of activities that contradicted relevant legislation and rules. A ministerial investigation was conducted and a report with recommendations was produced.

These recommendations were referred to the council for implementation.

“Regrettably, the recommendations were not implemented regardless of our efforts to impress upon the council to do so,” said Beukes. “It must be clear to all local authorities that the ministry will in future take swift action against any local authority whenever order, harmony and service delivery is at stake, in the interest of the public.”

Earlier this year, Kahua said the investigation by the ministry into alleged maladministration at the municipal council was “unprocedural, unfounded and politically motivated”.

The report revealed serious allegations involving Omaruru’s top political and administrative officials.

The allegations include alleged irregular staff appointments and suspensions; tenders; the acquisition of camps, cars and cash; the use of government funding; overseas trips; and overspending.

Kahua’s phone was off yesterday, while Nanuseb did not answer his phone.

Last month, when asked how long it will take before Omaruru elects office bearers for 2014, Nanuseb told The Namibian that it would be “soon”. Asked if the line minister will not interfere with such an election due to the pending allegations, Nanuseb said the minister does not have the power to determine who is elected.

Community members yesterday said they believe Kahua, Nanuseb and Naruseb’s days at the town council are “done”, and there are apparent expectations that the Municipality CEO, Paul Ganaseb’s days are also numbered because of his alleged unauthorised appointment in 2012.

Former local government minister Ekandjo did not approve of Ganaseb’s appointment and called for the appointment of another candidate suggested by the recruitment committee at the stage.

Ganaseb also did not answer his phone when contacted.

Omaruru Constituency Councillor Mike Tjirare declined to comment on the suspension and said the news was received by all the councillors “without any questions”.