Government probe fails to allay Otjiwarongo concerns

AS accusations and counter-accusations continue to fly at Otjiwarongo, around 50 residents gathered at the town hall on Tuesday to discuss their ongoing unhappiness with the Town Council.

A recent Government investigation, which confirmed some claims of mismanagement and corruption, has failed to dispel lingering concerns among sections of the community, particularly ‘The Concerned Group’, which formed the core of those present at Tuesday’s meeting. The meeting, according to group spokesperson, Ferdinand Muharukua, was to inform the community of the Ministry of Regional and Local Government’s findings because, he claimed, Council was downplaying these.”The Council has been telling people in the shanties that the Ministry found no fault with them, which is a lie,” said Muharukua.On Wednesday, the Otjiwarongo Municipality’s Public Relations Officer, Ismael Howoseb, confirmed to The Namibian that the Ministry investigation had found that the Council “was not following its guidelines through in letter and spirit” in a number of cases.According to Howoseb, the Council had to take steps to rectify the situation.In the case of the Build-Together Programme, under which members of the community who receive a monthly salary of N$2 000 of less were granted home loans, people receiving larger salaries benefited – something community members claim was the result of nepotism.Howoseb said that the Council has been ordered to hand a report to the Ministry, which they planned to do before October.”Its going to be difficult.Some people have already built their homes,” he said.”We don’t know exactly what will happen.”Howoseb also confirmed allegations that the Council had been paying former Chief Executive Officer Paulus Haipare’s full salary until a month ago, although he had been dismissed from his job in December.”The Ministry has launched an investigation,” he said, “and if found guilty, he will have to pay back this money.”He could not give an indication as to when the investigation would be completed.In April, more than 500 community members tried to cram into the same hall for a similar meeting.However Police ordered people to disperse because of the tension between opposing groups, which they felt could lead to conflict.Muharukua attributed the low turnout on Tuesday to Council members allegedly threatening community members that their services would be suspended, as well as to a recent speech made at the town by former President Sam Nujoma.Nujoma said that members of the town who did not stand together in unity, should “pack their bags”.Howoseb disagreed.He claimed that community members had felt misled by the ‘Concerned Group’ .”They are frustrated people who are unable to find employment elsewhere.They will come to the point where they will realise that this is not the way.”The meeting, according to group spokesperson, Ferdinand Muharukua, was to inform the community of the Ministry of Regional and Local Government’s findings because, he claimed, Council was downplaying these.”The Council has been telling people in the shanties that the Ministry found no fault with them, which is a lie,” said Muharukua.On Wednesday, the Otjiwarongo Municipality’s Public Relations Officer, Ismael Howoseb, confirmed to The Namibian that the Ministry investigation had found that the Council “was not following its guidelines through in letter and spirit” in a number of cases.According to Howoseb, the Council had to take steps to rectify the situation.In the case of the Build-Together Programme, under which members of the community who receive a monthly salary of N$2 000 of less were granted home loans, people receiving larger salaries benefited – something community members claim was the result of nepotism.Howoseb said that the Council has been ordered to hand a report to the Ministry, which they planned to do before October. “Its going to be difficult.Some people have already built their homes,” he said.”We don’t know exactly what will happen.”Howoseb also confirmed allegations that the Council had been paying former Chief Executive Officer Paulus Haipare’s full salary until a month ago, although he had been dismissed from his job in December.”The Ministry has launched an investigation,” he said, “and if found guilty, he will have to pay back this money.”He could not give an indication as to when the investigation would be completed.In April, more than 500 community members tried to cram into the same hall for a similar meeting.However Police ordered people to disperse because of the tension between opposing groups, which they felt could lead to conflict.Muharukua attributed the low turnout on Tuesday to Council members allegedly threatening community members that their services would be suspended, as well as to a recent speech made at the town by former President Sam Nujoma.Nujoma said that members of the town who did not stand together in unity, should “pack their bags”.Howoseb disagreed.He claimed that community members had felt misled by the ‘Concerned Group’ .”They are frustrated people who are unable to find employment elsewhere.They will come to the point where they will realise that this is not the way.”