THE Grootfontein town council is said to be uncertain about dropping charges it instituted against its suspended chief executive officer.
A source at the town council, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Nampa on Friday that the council had decided in November 2014 to drop the alleged sexual harassment charges it instituted against its suspended CEO, Charles Kariko, in 2013, due to insufficient evidence before the council.
Kariko allegedly had made several sexual advances towards a fellow female council employee at the beginning of 2013. The woman joined the council in January 2013 as Kariko’s personal assistant.
Kariko denied the allegations, but the council found it fit to suspend him for an internal investigation to take place.
However, according to a source, in November last year the council found that it had little evidence to support its case against Kariko and agreed to drop the charges against him.
Apparently, the council’s decision to withdraw the charges was never supported by a council resolution for it to be implemented.
The town mayor, Emma Taukuheke on Monday told Nampa in a telephonic interview that the charges against Kariko will not be dropped now, as the council’s lawyers are busy investigating.
“The case is still on, and I cannot disclose information to you because the council’s lawyers are working on it. I will call you once the case has been finalised,” Taukuheke said.
It is alleged the council continues to pay Kariko’s full salary while he is on suspension, while also paying the acting CEO, Martin le Roux. This, coupled with the fees for lawyers representing council on the matter since 2013, led to financial problems at the council.
The council’s public relations officer, Lukas Salomo, on Friday refused to talk about Kariko’s case, instead referring all questions to the acting CEO, who also refused to comment on the matter.
Taukuheke denies that the council faces financial problems due to the unexpected expenses brought about by Kariko’s case. She claims that the Grootfontein town council is financially well taken care off.
Kariko told Nampa on 27 February that the general public will be informed of the outcome of his case with the council once it has been finalised.
– Nampa
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