Matiti has two weeks to respond to the charges handed to him by the Caprivi Regional Council on Friday.

Matiti's cellphone was out of reach yesterday.

Acting Caprivi Governor Leonard Mwilima confirmed Matiti's suspension.

He said it had been decided to suspend him on full pay until March 20.

Matiti has become the second person to face the consequences for allowing 230 tonnes of maize meal to rot in a military warehouse near Katima Mulilo instead of feeding it to the needy.

Two weeks ago, Caprivi Governor Bernard Sibalatani was sent on leave by the Ministry of Regional and Local Government so that disciplinary action could be taken against him for his alleged role in the rotting food scandal.

He is not being paid.

Matiti joined the council from the Ministry of Regional and Local Government only five months before the scandal was uncovered at the M'pacha Military Base last May.

The discovery sparked a Cabinet investigation into the matter.

The investigation found that at least five people including Sibalatani and Matiti could be held directly responsible for rotting food aid, but the list could be extended to include several more emergency management unit officials.

As Governor, Sibalatani is the Chairperson of the Caprivi Regional Emergency Management Unit.

Local Government Deputy Permanent Secretary Erica Ndiyepa yesterday stepped in to fill Matiti's shoes during his absence.

Mwilima said the council had not yet prepared charges against Sibalatani but was expected to hand them to him "soon".

The council is expected to take action against other officials for their involvement in the rotting food aid.

"Maybe, yes.

That is the decision of the council.

It cannot be ruled out," said Mwilima when asked whether more suspensions were on the cards.

He said Ndiyepa and the council would have to decide on charging other officials lower down the pecking order in connection with the food aid debacle.

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