Grootfontein infighting escalates

The infighting between acting Grootfontein CEO Arnold Ameb and the municipality's finance executive Ileni Hainghumbi has reached new depths.Hainghumbi has accused his boss of alleged illicit transactions amounting to over N$300 000 during the time he (Hainghumbi) was on suspension.In a letter seen by Namibian Sun, dated 3 July, Hainghumbi reported to Grootfontein mayor Abisai Haimene that Ameb authorised alleged illicit transactions that were contrary to municipal policies and regulations.“The afore-referred transactions were committed between the period of 31 January and 17 April 2019. I am also informed that during my illegal suspension, some finance members were subjected to harassment and directed to perform unprocedural office duties,” Hainghumbi wrote.He accused Ameb of authorising a payment of N$149 846 into a “fake” bank account. The payment was to have been for services rendered by Rubicon Security Services. “On 17 April he made an illicit transaction by authorising a set of nine payments to the amount of N$88 032, without verifying with the payment voucher which was in my position (sic). He also misled the council to make the private law firm to carry out investigation on me and the council has to pay N$73 414, while it is contrary to the personnel rule no 36(20) of 2010, which prohibit the council from appointing a private law film to investigate officials (sic).”“Such unnecessary costs were incurred despite that the council has contracted a private labour consultant which (is) paid N$5 810 a month and the municipality did not get value for the money paid (sic).”Hainghumbi said the unnecessary costs were incurred notwithstanding that there is a standing rule from the line ministry that all local authorities are directed to make use of the office of the attorney-general, at no cost. Hainghumbi said while he was on suspension, Ameb instructed chief accountant Martha Hamunyela to issue a fitness certificate to a property company, while it owes the council for services rendered.“Such instruction to issue the fitness certificate to the client, while they owe the council, does not only defeat the council's debt-control measures, but it is also a deception and high level (of) corruption committed,” Hainghumbi wrote.When contacted for comment, Hainghumbi confirmed he authored the letter to the mayor.He said Haimene needs to do something, because what Ameb has done is very harmful to the municipality.Ameb said his main focus is to serve the Grootfontein community and all the allegations are nothing but simple attempts to defame his character and bring his good name into disrepute.“Tell your sources to refrain from telling lies about me in their diabolic attempts to defame my character and bring my good name down. On the issue of the property company, there is a clear council resolution which the finance executive has failed to implement, due to his incompetence and personal attacks on investors. Some of these matters are on the next council agenda and I find it strange that they again resorted to the media on pertinent issues. Like always, they will fail dismally,” said Ameb.“I am here to serve the community by implementing council resolutions and whether the finance executive is in or on suspension, I am accountable to the council in my capacity as the acting accounting officer. There are internal structures available for them to report these so-called 'illicit' transactions. The outstanding debt is escalating on a monthly basis and is an issue of concern, and mind you, it is in a department that resorts under Hainghumbi.”Haimene could not provide comment on the council's plan to resolve the infighting. Hainghumbi was suspended in January for alleged misconduct, but his suspension was lifted in April without him being charged.A charge sheet dated 9 May, issued by Ameb, revealed that Hainghumbi allegedly defied orders and made several payments amounting to N$768 500 to different accounts. Hainghumbi was given until 17 May to respond to the charges levelled against him by the municipality. However, he claims not to have seen the charge sheet until now.ILENI NANDJATO

Grootfontein infighting escalates

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Grootfontein infighting escalates

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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