Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has granted approval to the Katima Mulilo Town Council to suspend chief executive officer Raphael Liswaniso again.
Sankwasa’s order, which takes effect immediately, comes after Liswaniso won his labour case against the town council last week regarding his suspension on 28 October 2025 without pay.
Liswaniso was suspended pending internal investigation and was subsequently charged with 44 misconduct-related charges.
Arbitrator Bester Maiba on 8 April found that Liswaniso’s suspension was unjustified.
He therefore lifted the suspension and ordered the council to pay Liswaniso his full salary for the past five months.
However, in a letter directed to the mayor, Kabende Kabende, on 13 April, Sankwasa says he approves that the council suspend Liswaniso.
He says the suspension must be done with full pay and with immediate effect.
“Approval is hereby granted in terms of section 29 (6) (b) of the Local Authorities Act No 23 of 1992 and its amendments to suspend the chief executive officer with pay, and this takes effect immediately,” the letter states.
Liswaniso’s short-lived victory was based on claims that he was suspended without pay and was not informed of the exact charges against him.
Furthermore, he said he was denied the chance to ask any questions relating to his suspension and was told to leave the premises.
Liswaniso said he appealed against the suspension, but received no feedback. He also argued that the administrator appointed by the minister of urban and rural development had no authority to suspend him.
He said the town council’s personnel rules stipulate that a suspended employee must receive their salary, but he was denied his.
The Katima Mulilo Town Council reportedly spent about N$1.26 million on preliminary legal process fees related to Liswaniso’s first suspension.
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