Shigwedha is accused of defying Council recommendations and decisions.

The source cited capital projects that have been approved by Council but not yet executed by the CEO.

He has denied all the allegations.

It is also alleged that, although the Council asked Shigwedha to stop an illegal expansion being done to a business complex owned by Silas Kandenge, the town's chief administrator was reluctant to act on the matter.

The expansion is said to be nearing completion, but Kandenge has not submitted building plans for approval.

The new extension is very close to the road and is on top of Telecom Namibia's underground telecommunication cables, the Council source indicated.

"Telecom has sent us several letters asking us to identify the culprit so that they can sue him for the damage caused to the cables during the expansion of the business complex," the source told Nampa.

The cost of the damage is set at more than N$106 000.

It is also alleged that Shigwedha could be charged with abuse of council equipment after council officials recovered a Merlit drill at Shigwedha's private workshop at the town.

The machine had been missing from the council's premises for some days.

According to sources, the town's Mayor, Kauna Nashandi, has sought a meeting with the Minister of Regional and Local Government, John Pandeni, to discuss the matter.

The head of Telecom Namibia at the town, Phillip Mbangula, confirmed that damage was done to the company's cables.

He said Telecom would take up the issue with the culprit once he was pointed out to them.

Although Kandenge has declined to comment on the matter, he rejected claims that he did not submit building plans to the Town Council.

Approached for comment, Shigwedha shot down all the accusations levelled against him, labelling them "political and tribal".

Shigwedha said he could not recall any minutes of Council instructing him to stop the planned expansion of Kandenge's business complex.

The Ondangwa CEO said that, as far as he knew, Kandenge's building was done with the approval of the Town Council.

Shigwedha agreed that the Council would be required to compensate Kandenge if his building was to demolished.

"It is not me who should stop the building.

It is the responsibility of building inspectors and their manager," Shigwedha charged.

Regarding the Council's drill, Shigwedha said he took the machine to his business partner's workshop to test it, as the Council was planning to sell it on auction.

He claimed that he took the machine after Council officials, who were instructed to test it, were reluctant to do so.

Kandenge's building is opposite the First National Bank complex at the town.

Nampa

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  Delays in tourist murder case test court's patience
•  Fire Minister: RDP youth
•  Cool, rainy weather in South
•  Community farm 'commandeered', residents face a barbed future
•  Court administration takes fast lane at Swakopmund
•  Devastating fire in Okahandja area
•  Huge donation for hospital
•  Veterans Board announced
•  Roessing man accused of assaulting child
•  Region's dream to come true
•  Merlus gets double certification
•  Train wheels grind to a halt as railway strike takes effect
•  Three go free in gang-rape trial
•  AirNam wraps up probe
•  Minister gags cell firms Mobile price wars 'embarrassing' Govt