Louw suspended for Cash Converters shenanigans

The Electoral Commission of Namibia has suspended its technical director, Milton Shaanika Louw, who allegedly pawned five laptops belonging to the Commission.

“I can confirm he is suspended,” chief electoral officer Theo Mujoro told Namibian Sun upon inquiry.

Louw allegedly pawned five ECN laptops at a local pawnbroker before the general election last November. He later returned the laptops to the Commission.

When rumours started that Louw had sold the laptops, he claimed that it was part of a ploy to show that the election results had been rigged and that votes had been stolen from the Swapo Party. Mujoro did not respond when asked whether an investigation into Louw's conduct had been initiated and whether he had appeared before a disciplinary committee yet. Mujoro would also not say whether Louw had been suspended with pay. A pawnshop manager in Windhoek, who did not want to be named, claimed that Louw had borrowed money against the five laptops, which he repaid.

“When he finished paying all our money back, we gave him all the laptops back. He got the laptops back before the elections took place,” the manager said. Louw was arrested on a theft charge in December. He was released on N$4 000 bail and is to return to court on 13 March.

Louw could not be reached for comment about his suspension.

OGONE TLHAGE