THE Anti-Corruption Commission’s director general, Paulus Noa, has directed the Koës Village Council to answer allegations of dubious appointments and tender irregularities levelled against the authority.
In a letter dated 25 June, Noa wrote to council chief executive officer Willie Humphries, asking him to respond to the allegations by 20 July.
The anti-graft watchdog boss said the commission had received a complaint about the alleged appointment of Hansina Janse as the local economic development officer, without her meeting the required qualifications.
It is also alleged that the position was never advertised, he added.
Additionally, Noa said it is alleged that Janse, who was tasked with the selection and appointment of bidders to provide catering services, had prepared quotations herself on behalf of her relatives, and awarded the catering contracts only to those related her.
On one occasion, he added, Janse allegedly requested a cheque payment for a catering service rendered to the council to be made out in her name to pay the caterer in cash.
The ACC director general directed the council to provide the commission with documentary proof of the local economic development officer position’s advertisement, qualification requirements of the said position, catering services procured during the last few years, and details of companies which had been awarded the catering tenders.
“Ms Janse should indicate as to whether she is related to any of the persons or owners of the entities, and if she was actively involved in the selection and awarding process,” Noa stated.
Similarly, he demanded proof whether any cheque for catering services was ever made out in her name, and if so, for what purpose.
“A copy of such cheque should be provided to the commission,” he further requested.
On 20 July, Noa again wrote to Humphries, reminding him that the commission had not received any feedback, and would like to know when a response to allegations raised in his first correspondence could be expected.
Humphries yesterday said he had already responded to Noa’s letter, adding that he could not reply to questions raised by the commission on time since he had gone on leave.
He said Janse landed the local economic development officer’s job as a consequence of staffing reorganisation at the council, explaining she had only been moved to another department with the same salary grade. The CEO said council had tasked Janse, in line with a ministerial directive, to select and appoint persons who should provide catering services at council events.
– luqman@namibian.com.na
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