THE legality of the Karas Regional Council’s decision to replace its acting chief regional officer (CRO) with a junior-ranked official is being questioned by its human resource department.
The council this week resolved to appoint its human resources deputy director, Sigried Mwaala, as acting CRO for a three month-period, replacing the director of administration, Saul Kahuika.
A well-placed source described the appointment as ‘illegal’, claiming that the director of planning, Joseph Stephanus, is the most senior staffer after Kahuika and should be next in line.
Acknowledging Mwaala’s appointment as acting CRO, Karas Governor Dawid Boois refused to go into detail, saying that staff matters were confidential.
When approached yesterday, Kahuika said he still regarded himself as CRO, since he had not been informed to the contrary.
‘My appointment as CRO is still valid,’ said Kahuika.
Following the departure of former CRO Salmaan Jacobs towards the end of 2008 when his contract expired, Kahuika was appointed in an acting capacity.
Recently the Public Service Commission poured cold water on the council’s recommendation to appoint Leopold Niipare in the vacant CRO position.
On top of not meeting the requirements for the position, Niipare was one of the candidates who had responded to an advertisement for the position that the PSC had declared null and void.
It ordered the council to interview shortlisted candidates who had responded to the first advertisement.
Kahuika was the sole shortlisted candidate among those who had responded to the first advertisement, The Namibian understands.
luqman@namibian.com.na
