Turf war at Okahandja Council

TENSION between Okahandja Chief Executive Officer Regina Alughodi and the town’s Mayor, Christophine Paulus, has developed into a legal wrangle.

The Namibian understands that Alughodi has enlisted legal aid in an attempt to stop Paulus from allegedly abusing her powers and interfering in the running of municipal affairs. Alugodhi confirmed to The Namibian that there had been tension between her and the Mayor since she was elected in May, but declined to elaborate on what had brought matters to a head.”It is true that there is tension, but I want it to be worked out,” she said.Despite a legal letter to Paulus, in which Alugodhi accuses her of getting the council to gang up against her, Paulus told The Namibian that there were no problems between them.She also denied having received such a letter.”I am not aware of any tension,” she said.”We are just doing what we are supposed to do.”Paulus said even if there were problems between councillors and municipal officials, she did not believe in “running to the media to air grievances”.She said she would report to Swapo structures instead.Paulus has been accused of allegedly convening management committee and town council meetings in contravention of the Local Authorities Act, in terms of which such duties rest with the CEO.Paulus is not a member of the management committee.The mayor responded that from time to time she was forced to call extraordinary meetings to “immediately” iron out the concerns of residents.The letter further alleges that Paulus contravened Government orders that no councillor be paid their sitting allowance until their debts with their municipality have been settled.Alugodhi confirmed to The Namibian that there had been tension between her and the Mayor since she was elected in May, but declined to elaborate on what had brought matters to a head.”It is true that there is tension, but I want it to be worked out,” she said.Despite a legal letter to Paulus, in which Alugodhi accuses her of getting the council to gang up against her, Paulus told The Namibian that there were no problems between them.She also denied having received such a letter.”I am not aware of any tension,” she said.”We are just doing what we are supposed to do.”Paulus said even if there were problems between councillors and municipal officials, she did not believe in “running to the media to air grievances”.She said she would report to Swapo structures instead.Paulus has been accused of allegedly convening management committee and town council meetings in contravention of the Local Authorities Act, in terms of which such duties rest with the CEO.Paulus is not a member of the management committee.The mayor responded that from time to time she was forced to call extraordinary meetings to “immediately” iron out the concerns of residents.The letter further alleges that Paulus contravened Government orders that no councillor be paid their sitting allowance until their debts with their municipality have been settled.