Kahimise docket grows
Besides a publicised controversial study loan, the City has levelled further allegations against its suspended chief administrator.
In addition to allegations of misconduct related to a study loan, a volley of other claims of irregularity were thrown at suspended City of Windhoek CEO Robert Kahimise by the City of Windhoek's management committee (MC) during closed-door meetings in October.
According to special council meeting minutes from 17 and 22 October, these claims include alleged non-procedural appointments at the municipality, the alleged quashing of a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) that led to the suspension of City Police chief Abraham Kanime, questions around a salary increase and the irregular use of municipal property, funds and overtime claims, among other allegations.
Kahimise was suspended for a second time in November for “acts of serious misconduct and contravening the City's industrial relations policy and conditions of service”.
The suspended CEO argued in recent court documents that, aside from the vague allegations, he was never provided with a detailed list of accusations to afford him the chance to defend himself.
But minutes from the special council meetings in October show that a 2 October MC meeting listed numerous allegations against the CEO, which apart from those related to the study aid, include “many complaints and allegations of transgressions against the CEO from employees”, which were made “on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution”.
Copies of the minutes form part of papers filed at the High Court last week by Kahimise's lawyers, in an attempt to have his suspension overturned.
Alleged concerns
The minutes show that the 2 October meeting to “iron out a few things/issues” related to the allegations against Kahimise, recommended that his study aid be retroactively denied, as it was obtained non-procedurally.
This despite the fact that Kahimise's study aid was approved in February by MC chairperson Matheus Amadhila, the human resources department and City mayor Muesee Kazapua.
Nevertheless, the MC on 2 October recommended to council to reject the loan based on a number of allegations, including that Kahimise obtained the loan by deceiving the mayor and MC chairperson, concealed the loan issue for six months, and that his participation in the study aid scheme “constitutes serious transgressions of unauthorised expenditure of public funds”.
The minutes also show that the MC had recommended that council, alongside the allegations pertaining to the study aid, investigate “alleged non-procedural appointments and filling of some positions”.
Another recommendation was to submit a report on “restructuring, appointments and transfers of personnel” to check “whether or not this was carried out in compliance with the organisational policies, and point out whether or not this exercise was carried out in a manner that advantaged some personnel while disadvantaging others”.
Further, that an investigation be launched into the procurement of a vehicle “for the 24-hour use of the CEO, when he already has a car allowance without council approval”.
The MC further said complaints included the CEO's alleged refusal to share an audit conducted by PwC on the allegations Kanime, which led to his suspension.
The MC also recommended that allegations “of fraud or attempted fraud” with regard to VAT payable on the sale of three erven be investigated and why no action was taken against the suspects by the CEO.
Moreover, the MC requested an overview of how much was spent on legal fees to defend City legal adviser Benedictus Ngairorue, who is facing corruption charges.
Kahimise's founding affidavit submitted to court last week highlighted that he has been repaying his study loan since April this year, and that the MC had “ignored” Amadhila's internal memorandum admitting he approved the loan.
Last week, deputy mayor Teckla Uwanga informed the public that Kahimise was suspended so that an “unhindered investigation into allegations constituting gross breach of corporate governance” levelled against him can be undertaken.
The three-month unpaid suspension, however, should not be seen as a “sanction or penalty for any offence”, she said.
Meanwhile, Ludwig Narib, the strategic executive of infrastructure, water and technical services was appointed as acting CEO.
Patrick Kauta, Kahimise's lawyer, yesterday confirmed that the urgent application will be heard on 20 November by the Windhoek High Court.
JANA-MARI SMITH
According to special council meeting minutes from 17 and 22 October, these claims include alleged non-procedural appointments at the municipality, the alleged quashing of a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) that led to the suspension of City Police chief Abraham Kanime, questions around a salary increase and the irregular use of municipal property, funds and overtime claims, among other allegations.
Kahimise was suspended for a second time in November for “acts of serious misconduct and contravening the City's industrial relations policy and conditions of service”.
The suspended CEO argued in recent court documents that, aside from the vague allegations, he was never provided with a detailed list of accusations to afford him the chance to defend himself.
But minutes from the special council meetings in October show that a 2 October MC meeting listed numerous allegations against the CEO, which apart from those related to the study aid, include “many complaints and allegations of transgressions against the CEO from employees”, which were made “on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution”.
Copies of the minutes form part of papers filed at the High Court last week by Kahimise's lawyers, in an attempt to have his suspension overturned.
Alleged concerns
The minutes show that the 2 October meeting to “iron out a few things/issues” related to the allegations against Kahimise, recommended that his study aid be retroactively denied, as it was obtained non-procedurally.
This despite the fact that Kahimise's study aid was approved in February by MC chairperson Matheus Amadhila, the human resources department and City mayor Muesee Kazapua.
Nevertheless, the MC on 2 October recommended to council to reject the loan based on a number of allegations, including that Kahimise obtained the loan by deceiving the mayor and MC chairperson, concealed the loan issue for six months, and that his participation in the study aid scheme “constitutes serious transgressions of unauthorised expenditure of public funds”.
The minutes also show that the MC had recommended that council, alongside the allegations pertaining to the study aid, investigate “alleged non-procedural appointments and filling of some positions”.
Another recommendation was to submit a report on “restructuring, appointments and transfers of personnel” to check “whether or not this was carried out in compliance with the organisational policies, and point out whether or not this exercise was carried out in a manner that advantaged some personnel while disadvantaging others”.
Further, that an investigation be launched into the procurement of a vehicle “for the 24-hour use of the CEO, when he already has a car allowance without council approval”.
The MC further said complaints included the CEO's alleged refusal to share an audit conducted by PwC on the allegations Kanime, which led to his suspension.
The MC also recommended that allegations “of fraud or attempted fraud” with regard to VAT payable on the sale of three erven be investigated and why no action was taken against the suspects by the CEO.
Moreover, the MC requested an overview of how much was spent on legal fees to defend City legal adviser Benedictus Ngairorue, who is facing corruption charges.
Kahimise's founding affidavit submitted to court last week highlighted that he has been repaying his study loan since April this year, and that the MC had “ignored” Amadhila's internal memorandum admitting he approved the loan.
Last week, deputy mayor Teckla Uwanga informed the public that Kahimise was suspended so that an “unhindered investigation into allegations constituting gross breach of corporate governance” levelled against him can be undertaken.
The three-month unpaid suspension, however, should not be seen as a “sanction or penalty for any offence”, she said.
Meanwhile, Ludwig Narib, the strategic executive of infrastructure, water and technical services was appointed as acting CEO.
Patrick Kauta, Kahimise's lawyer, yesterday confirmed that the urgent application will be heard on 20 November by the Windhoek High Court.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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