Banner Left

Okahandja CEO given the all-clear

Okahandja CEO given the all-clear

AFTER being suspended for five months, Okahandja Municipality Chief Executive Officer Regina Alugodhi is expected to return to office today.

The move follows a 19-hour meeting at the town which started on Thursday morning to thrash out issues with the Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, John Pandeni, over tensions between the Council and Alugodhi. Controversy had raged since last year and caused division among Swapo members.The Okahandja District Co-ordinator for Swapo, Japhet Garoeb, said yesterday that last week’s decision had been reached collectively with all councillors, including those from opposition parties, and could not be seen as imposed by Pandeni as claimed by some members who spoke to The Namibian.”It was not the Minister’s decision.It was a collective decision, it was our decision, it’s a binding decision.The whole council including [members] from the opposition party, were present,” said Garoeb.Garoeb said the factions for and against the councillors had been “reconciled” after the marathon meeting and that the councillors said to be conducting a witchhunt against Alugodhi did not oppose the decision to reinstate her.A letter formally confirming her reinstatement would come from the Minister’s office today, Gar-oeb said.Yesterday, unconfirmed reports surfaced from within Swapo ranks that a demonstration would be held today by a faction who feel the decision was “bulldozed” through by Minister Pandeni.Some municipal workers were alleged to be disgruntled at the “procedure” followed to reinstate Alugodhi, claiming the same would not hold for them if they were in a similar position.This is not the first time the council has suspended Alugodhi.As was previously the case, the council never provided reasons for her suspension.Alugodhi was reportedly present at last week’s meeting, but could not be reached for comment yesterday.Pandeni is set to return to the town at the weekend to address the community.According to Garoeb, information revealed by the Ministry’s auditors at last week’s meeting did not reveal any wrongdoing on the part of the council in its operations.However, he said, it was found that the municipality did not have adequate policies in place and that the Ministry would help draw these up.Swapo members have held several demonstrations since last year calling for the removal of the councillors they claim are corrupt.Garoeb said the party desperately wanted to put the squabbles of recent months behind them as it was not good for investment at the town.”We are seriously trying to clear the air.We are losing investors this way,” he said.Controversy had raged since last year and caused division among Swapo members.The Okahandja District Co-ordinator for Swapo, Japhet Garoeb, said yesterday that last week’s decision had been reached collectively with all councillors, including those from opposition parties, and could not be seen as imposed by Pandeni as claimed by some members who spoke to The Namibian.”It was not the Minister’s decision.It was a collective decision, it was our decision, it’s a binding decision.The whole council including [members] from the opposition party, were present,” said Garoeb.Garoeb said the factions for and against the councillors had been “reconciled” after the marathon meeting and that the councillors said to be conducting a witchhunt against Alugodhi did not oppose the decision to reinstate her.A letter formally confirming her reinstatement would come from the Minister’s office today, Gar-oeb said.Yesterday, unconfirmed reports surfaced from within Swapo ranks that a demonstration would be held today by a faction who feel the decision was “bulldozed” through by Minister Pandeni.Some municipal workers were alleged to be disgruntled at the “procedure” followed to reinstate Alugodhi, claiming the same would not hold for them if they were in a similar position.This is not the first time the council has suspended Alugodhi.As was previously the case, the council never provided reasons for her suspension.Alugodhi was reportedly present at last week’s meeting, but could not be reached for comment yesterday.Pandeni is set to return to the town at the weekend to address the community.According to Garoeb, information revealed by the Ministry’s auditors at last week’s meeting did not reveal any wrongdoing on the part of the council in its operations.However, he said, it was found that the municipality did not have adequate policies in place and that the Ministry would help draw these up.Swapo members have held several demonstrations since last year calling for the removal of the councillors they claim are corrupt.Garoeb said the party desperately wanted to put the squabbles of recent months behind them as it was not good for investment at the town.”We are seriously trying to clear the air.We are losing investors this way,” he said.

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News