A reliable source informed The Namibian that the council made the decision at its meeting on Monday afternoon.

According to the source, the council cited absenteeism as the reason why Jacobs's contract will not be renewed.

Councillors also mentioned a pending corruption charge in which Jacobs is accused of defrauding the Council of N$32 000 by claiming expenses for an all-expenses-paid workshop in Germany towards the end of 2006.

Jacobs is free on bail of N$7 000 on the corruption charge.

Of the six regional councillors, only Willem Apollus was unhappy with the decision not to extend Jacobs's contract, The Namibian was informed.

Apollus apparently argued that the council's decision could backfire, as the Local Government Permanent Secretary, Erastus Negonga, had not been consulted beforehand.

Apollus further described Jacobs as a top performer during his current term of office.

When approached yesterday, Karas Governor Dawid Boois declined to comment.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss staff-related matters in the media," Boois said.

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