Uutoni wants to Kunene CRO booted
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni is demanding that the reappointment of Kunene regional council chief regional officer (CRO) George Kamseb be declared invalid.
In October 2021, the minister filed a Windhoek High Court case against Kamseb, the council and the chairman of its management committee, Hendrik Gaobaeb.
He demanded that a decision taken on 31 May 2021 to reappoint Kamseb as CRO be declared invalid and no longer have effect. He further requested a court order obliging the respondents to advertise the position again.
Suspension
Kamseb was appointed in October 2008 as the Kunene regional council’s CRO for a period of five years. His contract was then extended for another five years until September 2018.
According to the minister's affidavit, on 18 October 2016, Kamseb was suspended for two years with full pay and his suspension lasted until after his contract expired.
"The reasons for his suspension were, among other things, because he took unauthorised trips, took leave without the necessary approval from the chairman of the management committee and he apparently extended expired annual tenders without the approval of the regional council.”
After his suspension, Kamseb reported the matter to the labour commissioner, but the arbitrator dismissed it on 12 April 2021 due to non-compliance with court rules. He then submitted an application for the withdrawal of the dismissal of his claim, but this was also dismissed.
The management committee appointed Kamseb again on 31 May 2021 for two years. This was allegedly based on the condition that he waive all monetary claims against the regional council.
‘Approval not given’
"On 14 June, I [Uutoni] responded to the chairman of the Kunene regional council management committee's letter that council's decision to re-employ Kamseb is unlawful and not in accordance with procedure in that it violates various provisions of the law as well as contravenes the provisions of the Public Service Act.
"I further ordered that such decision be terminated with immediate effect as my approval was not given as required by law and the regulations," the minister said.
Kamseb has indicated that he will oppose the case, while Gaobaeb and the council intend to apply for the main application to be set aside.
This interim application must be submitted to the court before or on 18 November. The parties appeared before judge Esi Schimming-Chase for a status hearing yesterday.
–[email protected]
In October 2021, the minister filed a Windhoek High Court case against Kamseb, the council and the chairman of its management committee, Hendrik Gaobaeb.
He demanded that a decision taken on 31 May 2021 to reappoint Kamseb as CRO be declared invalid and no longer have effect. He further requested a court order obliging the respondents to advertise the position again.
Suspension
Kamseb was appointed in October 2008 as the Kunene regional council’s CRO for a period of five years. His contract was then extended for another five years until September 2018.
According to the minister's affidavit, on 18 October 2016, Kamseb was suspended for two years with full pay and his suspension lasted until after his contract expired.
"The reasons for his suspension were, among other things, because he took unauthorised trips, took leave without the necessary approval from the chairman of the management committee and he apparently extended expired annual tenders without the approval of the regional council.”
After his suspension, Kamseb reported the matter to the labour commissioner, but the arbitrator dismissed it on 12 April 2021 due to non-compliance with court rules. He then submitted an application for the withdrawal of the dismissal of his claim, but this was also dismissed.
The management committee appointed Kamseb again on 31 May 2021 for two years. This was allegedly based on the condition that he waive all monetary claims against the regional council.
‘Approval not given’
"On 14 June, I [Uutoni] responded to the chairman of the Kunene regional council management committee's letter that council's decision to re-employ Kamseb is unlawful and not in accordance with procedure in that it violates various provisions of the law as well as contravenes the provisions of the Public Service Act.
"I further ordered that such decision be terminated with immediate effect as my approval was not given as required by law and the regulations," the minister said.
Kamseb has indicated that he will oppose the case, while Gaobaeb and the council intend to apply for the main application to be set aside.
This interim application must be submitted to the court before or on 18 November. The parties appeared before judge Esi Schimming-Chase for a status hearing yesterday.
–[email protected]
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