Divundu CEO decision ‘final’, says Sankwasa

The Divundu Village Council wants a sit-down with urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa to clarify his decision to reject its recommendation to extend former CEO Athanasius Ndjamba Maghumbo’s contract.

The minister, however, has ruled out further talks on the matter, telling Namibian Sun his decision is “final”.

“I am not interested in a dialogue. My decision is final,” the minister told Namibian Sun on Tuesday.

He said his decision was based on facts and public information showing what he described as Maghumbo’s poor performance.

Sankwasa pointed to the council’s failure to submit audited financial reports since 2015 as one of the factors behind his decision.

He said non-performance was non-negotiable in local authorities.

“If someone is not performing, why should you renew his contract? On what basis?” the minister asked.

Let’s talk

Council chairperson Wensel Kana, however, said the council had not been provided with specific findings supporting the concerns raised against Maghumbo and wanted Sankwasa to explain the basis for his decision.

“All we want to do is just have a dialogue with the honourable minister on this matter,” Kana told Namibian Sun on Tuesday.

“We need to be provided with, or told, what these findings are,” he said. He stressed that the council is “not against the decision, but justice needs to be done properly and lawfully”.

Sankwasa recently declined to approve the extension, citing governance failures, alleged mismanagement and poor performance.

Kana questioned the basis for the decision, saying contract renewals or non-renewals should be supported by concrete reasons and evidence.

“When you do not want to retain someone's contract, based on what?” he said.

He said the council wanted the matter handled in accordance with Article 18 of the Namibian Constitution, which provides for administrative justice, including an opportunity for affected parties to be heard.

“We don't just make a decision without hearing from a person,” he said.

Kana said the decision to recommend Maghumbo’s contract extension was taken collectively by the council’s management committee.

He also rejected claims that Maghumbo had drafted or influenced a disputed letter challenging Sankwasa’s decision.

“As the letter said, it came from the management committee and was addressed to the council, to the chairperson of the council. That's how it stands,” he said.

He dismissed allegations that Maghumbo had influenced councillors.

“The CEO is not influencing councillors. Influencing councillors based on what?” he said.

Maghumbo, meanwhile, has confirmed he was no longer in office.