Chairperson of the Kavango East Regional Council, Damian Maghambayi on Monday cautioned regional councils and local authorities in the two Kavango regions to not be led by emotions when it comes to employee suspensions.
Maghambayi made the call during an information-sharing session by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development on the appointment and suspension of chief regional officers and chief executive officers of regional councils and local authorities.
“When people are led by emotions when taking decisions to suspend a staff member you create room for the institution to be sued, leading to Government spending unnecessary funds on court cases. Appointment of a suitable candidate to a position should also not be based on favouritism, nepotism or on a tribal basis,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development Natalia Goagoses said the appointment and suspension and renewal of contracts of CRO’s and CEO’s require urgent dialogue.
“We are aware that some regional councils and local authorities have for a long time been without administrative heads and some are currently under threat for various reasons. This situation is of great concern,” she said.
Goagoses stated that there is a need to reflect on how the ministry should handle issues of appointments, suspensions, and renewal of employment contracts of accounting officers of sub-national government in accordance with the relevant legislation.
The deputy minister said councillors should not interfere in the day-to-day operations of the council but may intervene in certain instances.
She said the ministry has been informed that administrators are colliding with councillors and acting as politicians, and vice-versa.
“It is worrisome to learn that the //Kharas, Hardap and Omaheke regions are operating without substantive CROs, while the Oranjemund and Grootfontein municipalities can also not operate successfully without certain required structures in place,” she said.
Goagoses in addition called on the Rundu Town Council leadership to work hard in order for Rundu to be elevated to municipality status.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
