Minister ‘cannot’ effect election of Omaruru office bearers

OMARURU Municipal Council says they are expecting a letter from the local government minister to confirm his presence or representation during the council’s 2014 elections.

Local authorities around the country are going through their annual elections for office-bearers, and Omaruru is expected to elect its leaders soon.

The council’s management committee chairman, Christian Nanuseb told The Namibian on monday that they were expecting the letter.

“We are still expecting it and we should have our election at the end of this month or beginning next month,” he said.

He also said that the line minister, as per the Local Authorities Acts, does not have the power to determine who is elected as office bearers.

“It is between the councillors. It’s the same with the appointment of municipal staff; it is the prerogative of the management committee. If staff are found guilty of misconduct, they will be dealt with internally; not the ministry,” he said, referring to recommendations made in an investigation by Namoloh in May into the alleged corruption and mismanagement of the town’s council.

Nanuseb said that the report on the investigation was not done within the jurisdiction of the minister. The town’s mayor, Vincent Kahua, also about two months ago, described the investigation as “unprocedural, unfounded and politically motivated”.

The report revealed serious allegations against top political and administrative officials of Omaruru. The allegations include irregular staff appointments and suspensions; tenders; the acquisition of camps, cars and cash; the use of government funding; overseas trips; and overspending of council funds.

Kahua, deputy mayor Albertus Naruseb, and Omaruru CEO Paul Ganaseb were not available for comment yesterday because they were in meetings.

Asked about more rumours that political big-wigs did not attend the official launch of the Omaruru Oasis Festival in September, allegedly distancing themselves from acts that might give the impression that they condone allegations of corruption and mismanagement leveled against Omaruru council and staff, Nanuseb denied.

“Some of these political figures could not attend because of other important business that had to attended to. Others could not be there for other reasons. Even if these rumours were true it does not effect our plans. We will go on with or without them. It is for the best of our people,” he said.

Attempts to get comment from the Ministry was unsuccessful.