Infighting rocks Grootfontein

Acting Grootfontein municipality CEO Arnold Ameb says he will in due course explain why he decided to suspend the town council's finance executive Ileni Hainghumbi.Hainghumbi was suspended on Monday, but the reasons for his suspension are unclear at this stage. In a letter to Hainghumbi, Ameb did not raise any reasons for his suspension. “I will respond to Hainghumbi, I will say it in a memo. I think I have answered you, I am in a meeting,” he said when approached for comment.Hainghumbi was ordered to vacate the municipal offices by Monday at 16:00. He was further instructed not to leave the magisterial district of Grootfontein without informing Ameb, and was ordered to surrender all municipal assets in his possession.Grootfontein councillor and management committee chairperson, Jack Tsanigab, refused to comment on the suspension.“I do not want to comment on things that are under investigation; I do not know anything,” he said. Hainghumbi has in the past raised allegations of corruption against Ameb and Tsanigab. Tsanigab was also further accused of tribalism. “I have concluded and [am] well-informed that you are convening with the chairperson of the management committee to make sure that you get me out of your way, since I'm blocking your way to eat,” Hainghumbi said in a memo dated 9 January.The suspended executive further reiterated that there was a bid by Ameb and Tsanigab to have him removed. “I [have] came to the conclusion that the three memos written by your office is a way to shut me down, since I have questioned the misuse of council resources by the chairperson of the management committee [Tsanigab],” Hainghumbi said.“In one of the council meeting, in the presence of the entire councillors and staff members, the chairperson of the management committee vented and said words toward me that, I came to Grootfontein very poor, and now I'm filthy rich, and I must go back to my village. There is a sense of tribalism, envious and fit of jealous in that (sic),” Hainghumbi wrote.Grootfontein mayor Abisai Haimene said he was in a meeting when contacted for comment. Urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga said he does not comment on administrative issues in local authorities.Mushelenga last year castigated the Grootfontein municipality's leaders for ignoring his directives, and questioned why a junior official was the town's acting CEO, The Namibian reported. He also directed the municipality to fill four vacant strategic executive positions in human resources and corporate affairs, health, properties and technical services, warning that the municipality was not functioning optimally. OGONE TLHAGE

Infighting rocks Grootfontein

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-24

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Infighting rocks Grootfontein

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-24

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