Maltahöhe set to end 13-year CEO drought

Maltahöhe Village Council could finally have a permanent CEO early next year after a 13-year vacuum, with the urban and rural development ministry confirming that the post has been advertised and the recruitment process has kicked off.The council has relied on a string of acting administrators since 2013, with several attempts to fill the role stalling along the way.Wilhelmine Shivute, the ministry’s executive director, told Namibian Sun this week that shortlisting was due to begin soon, with the recruitment process likely to be wrapped up within about three months.“The ministry recognises the importance of filling this critical position to ensure effective governance, sound administration and improved service delivery at the council,” Shivute said.The prolonged vacancy comes against a backdrop of administrative instability at Maltahöhe, which was downgraded from town to village status after years of poor management and political infighting.The substantive CEO position has effectively remained vacant since 2013, when then-CEO Eliphas Shipanga was suspended.Shipanga had assumed the position in July 2011. He died in 2021.Fed-up residentsResidents have frequently protested against the absence of a permanent CEO, warning that this has harmed development and accountability.By February 2023, the council had already gone through three acting CEOs, according to reporting by The Namibian.These included Gershon Tjitaura, who was seconded from the Daweb constituency office, and Ivan Vries, who later became Berseba Village Council's CEO. An accountant at the council, identified only as ||Garoës, also took on the role for a brief time.In 2022, the council advertised the position and shortlisted candidates, but the process was halted after it emerged that the advertisement had run for only 19 days instead of the required 21 days.The Namibian Association of Local Authority Officials warned at the time that prolonged vacancies could weaken strategic direction, financial oversight, implementation of council decisions and service delivery.Village deterioratesIn July, community activist Josef van der Westhuizen told NBC the village continues to face long-standing infrastructure problems, including leaking water pipes, water losses, persistent sewerage problems and deteriorating roads.Another resident, business manager Lennard Venter, told NBC that sewage running through the town is hurting businesses, with the unpleasant conditions costing them customers, including international clients.Van der Westhuizen also questioned the council’s reliance on acting CEOs for more than a decade despite several recruitment processes.

Maltahöhe set to end 13-year CEO drought

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-11

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Maltahöhe set to end 13-year CEO drought

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-11

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