Katima mulilo: The Katima Mulilo Town Council (KMTC) has suspended its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Raphael Liswaniso, with immediate effect until further notice. Its head of public relations, Chrispin Muyoba, in a press release on Tuesday said Liswaniso’s suspension took effect in line with section 29(6) (b) of the Local Authority Act 1992, as amended, as well as per the personnel rules of the town council.

According to Namibia Press Agency, this measure has been taken to allow the council to conduct investigations without interference in accordance with due process. Muyoba added that municipal operations and service delivery will continue without disruption under the supervision of the duly designated officials. The Katima Mulilo Town Council remains committed to upholding the principles of good governance, accountability, and transparency in the execution of its mandate, he noted.

Liswaniso’s suspension follows alleged irregularities that were uncovered by the Urban and Rural Development Ministry through James Sankwasa. Sankwasa officially removed the KMTC councillors from office in August of this year. At that time, Sankwasa took over the daily operations of the town council under Section 92(2) of the Local Authorities Act of 1992, with Liswaniso reporting directly to him. This arrangement continued until Karina Kandumbu was appointed as the KMTC administrator in September.

Kandumbu is set to lead the KMTC until new political office bearers are elected in the upcoming regional councils and local authority elections on 26 November.