Sankwasa wants Hardap to lift his suspension

THE Hardap Regional Council will not bow to pressure to lift the suspension of its Chief Regional Officer, James Sankwansa, says Governor Katrina Hanse-Himarwa.

“Council will not bow to an individual pressure to retract its decision to have Sankwasa reinstated, until such time the necessary procedures are completed,” the Governor said. The Regional Council suspended Sankwasa and Chief Control Officer Leonard Stephanus in May last year over the storage of Council property at a farm owned by Stephanus.Hanse-Himarwa told The Namibian on Friday that the Council had received a letter from Sankwasa’s lawyers, ordering that Sankawa be allowed to resume his duties today.According to Hanse-Himarwa, the letter warned the Council of further legal action if it failed to comply.The Governor indicated that the Council is prepared for a legal battle.”Council consulted its lawyers and will definitely challenge any legal action in Court,” she said.”In fact, they’re telling us to rescind the suspension, instead of asking,” she said angrily.She said the Council was still awaiting the signature of the Local Government Minister in order to bring disciplinary charges against Sankwasa.”Our motto is to do things procedurally, therefore an individual will not pressure us to bypass the correct procedures we tend to follow,” she said.The Regional Council suspended Sankwasa and Chief Control Officer Leonard Stephanus in May last year over the storage of Council property at a farm owned by Stephanus.Hanse-Himarwa told The Namibian on Friday that the Council had received a letter from Sankwasa’s lawyers, ordering that Sankawa be allowed to resume his duties today.According to Hanse-Himarwa, the letter warned the Council of further legal action if it failed to comply.The Governor indicated that the Council is prepared for a legal battle.”Council consulted its lawyers and will definitely challenge any legal action in Court,” she said.”In fact, they’re telling us to rescind the suspension, instead of asking,” she said angrily.She said the Council was still awaiting the signature of the Local Government Minister in order to bring disciplinary charges against Sankwasa.”Our motto is to do things procedurally, therefore an individual will not pressure us to bypass the correct procedures we tend to follow,” she said.