City keeps lips buttoned over suspension of its traffic chief

THE City of Windhoek will not be revealing the charges facing suspended City Traffic Head Eliphas !Owos-Oab until internal investigations have been concluded, City CEO Niilo Taapopi said yesterday.

Amidst ongoing speculation about the reasons for !Owos-Oab’s suspension, Taapopi said he could not confirm any of the reports and that he was not involved in the investigations. “He is suspended.But he didn’t commit a crime,” said Taapopi.”The reasons why we can’t provide the charges, is because it is an internal procedure.Allegations have been made against the person, and they are now being investigated.”!Owos-Oab is the Chief of the Municipality’s Traffic Management Unit.Taapopi would not entertain reports that !Owos-Oab might have been suspended for allegedly quashing traffic tickets for violations by taxis owned by him, his family or friends.!Owos-Oab yesterday denied owning any taxis and said his work had nothing to do with the division working with traffic violations.”That’s interesting,” he said when asked if he had been involved in quashing traffic fines.Taapopi said he was not involved in the formulation of charges or investigations against !Owos-Oab and could thus not confirm or deny any reports speculating about the traffic official’s suspension.!Owos-Oab said yesterday that he had heard several reports on Friday speculating about his suspension – but that he himself did not know the reasons.”It’s just a lot of stories again.”Taapopi said the decision to suspend !Owos-Oab had been taken in conjunction with the Mayor as Chairperson of the City Council and the Inspector General of the Namibian Police as required by regulations governing the City Police.Taapopi said no time frame had been placed on the investigations, and that !Owos-Oab would receive all his salary benefits while the matter was being finalised.”He is suspended.But he didn’t commit a crime,” said Taapopi.”The reasons why we can’t provide the charges, is because it is an internal procedure.Allegations have been made against the person, and they are now being investigated.”!Owos-Oab is the Chief of the Municipality’s Traffic Management Unit.Taapopi would not entertain reports that !Owos-Oab might have been suspended for allegedly quashing traffic tickets for violations by taxis owned by him, his family or friends.!Owos-Oab yesterday denied owning any taxis and said his work had nothing to do with the division working with traffic violations.”That’s interesting,” he said when asked if he had been involved in quashing traffic fines.Taapopi said he was not involved in the formulation of charges or investigations against !Owos-Oab and could thus not confirm or deny any reports speculating about the traffic official’s suspension.!Owos-Oab said yesterday that he had heard several reports on Friday speculating about his suspension – but that he himself did not know the reasons.”It’s just a lot of stories again.”Taapopi said the decision to suspend !Owos-Oab had been taken in conjunction with the Mayor as Chairperson of the City Council and the Inspector General of the Namibian Police as required by regulations governing the City Police.Taapopi said no time frame had been placed on the investigations, and that !Owos-Oab would receive all his salary benefits while the matter was being finalised.