Divundu:Former Divundu Village Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Athanasius Ndjamba Maghumbo has called for his reinstatement for another five years, along with the payment of outstanding salaries and related benefits. Maghumbo's demand comes after his contract, initially set to end on 31 July 2026, was extended by one month to 31 August 2026, during which he served in an acting capacity.

According to NAMPA, a letter dated 22 October 2026 from Maghumbo's lawyer, Bernhard Tjatjara of Bernhard Tjatjara Legal Practitioners, was sent to the Divundu Village Council. The letter demands that the council retrospectively extend Maghumbo's contract from 31 August 2026. The council has been given seven working days from receipt of the letter to meet these demands or face referral to the Labour Commissioner.

The letter, addressed to the Divundu Village Council chairperson and councillors, specifically directed attention to Councillor Wensel Kana, and was copied to the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Sankwasa James Sankwasa. Tjatjara argued that the council failed to provide written notice to Maghumbo three months prior to the expiration of his contract, as required by his employment terms and the Local Authorities Act.

Maghumbo was appointed CEO on 1 August 2021 for a five-year term. Tjatjara's letter claims that Maghumbo was not officially informed about the renewal of his contract, learning through media reports on 14 September 2026 that it would not be renewed. The lawyer cited a February 2024 court ruling involving the Omuthiya Town Council, where a CEO was reinstated under similar circumstances, to support their case for Maghumbo's contract renewal.

Minister Sankwasa, when approached for comment, stated that he had not seen the correspondence but asserted that Maghumbo's contract would not be renewed. Previous media reports indicated that the minister cited governance failures, mismanagement, and poor performance, including the failure to submit required budgets, audit reports, and financial statements as reasons for not extending the contract.

Meanwhile, Divundu Village Council Chairperson Wensel Kana confirmed that the council had communicated with Maghumbo and received a response, though he declined to disclose the details of the correspondence.