Kanime ready to hang up service pistol
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
Beleaguered City Police chief Abraham Kanime says he is still in his job but he is not desperate and is prepared to part ways with the City of Windhoek, should he be required to leave and reapply for the position.
Last November, the High Court ordered that the council’s decision to extend his employment contract by three years was illegal.
Kanime this week acknowledged that he overstayed his welcome, but only because he was asked to.
City councillor Ignatius Semba at the time dragged Kanime and his superiors to court, demanding that the council reverse its decision to reappoint the chief and instead advertise the vacancy.
The position of City Police chief, which comes with an annual salary of N$2.5 million, has been a bone of contention for the last two years.
Kanime resigned in 2020 after 10 years at the helm of the municipal police, but the then Swapo council members steamrolled through his reappointment amid strong opposition from opposition councillors.
“I have many things to do, many people to see and many places to visit. I have been here for 40 years; my people need me to be there. But what is important is that I have a contract,” Kanime said yesterday.
Not informed
He also said he was not informed by the City leadership that he should reapply for his job.
City CEO George Mayumbelo, on the other hand, said Kanime knew about the court order.
“Chief Kanime as a respondent was privy to the court order and its contents insofar as it relates to him and the position he holds.
“Please note that there was no resolution to terminate Chief Kanime’s contract, hence his continued employment,” he said.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Beleaguered City Police chief Abraham Kanime says he is still in his job but he is not desperate and is prepared to part ways with the City of Windhoek, should he be required to leave and reapply for the position.
Last November, the High Court ordered that the council’s decision to extend his employment contract by three years was illegal.
Kanime this week acknowledged that he overstayed his welcome, but only because he was asked to.
City councillor Ignatius Semba at the time dragged Kanime and his superiors to court, demanding that the council reverse its decision to reappoint the chief and instead advertise the vacancy.
The position of City Police chief, which comes with an annual salary of N$2.5 million, has been a bone of contention for the last two years.
Kanime resigned in 2020 after 10 years at the helm of the municipal police, but the then Swapo council members steamrolled through his reappointment amid strong opposition from opposition councillors.
“I have many things to do, many people to see and many places to visit. I have been here for 40 years; my people need me to be there. But what is important is that I have a contract,” Kanime said yesterday.
Not informed
He also said he was not informed by the City leadership that he should reapply for his job.
City CEO George Mayumbelo, on the other hand, said Kanime knew about the court order.
“Chief Kanime as a respondent was privy to the court order and its contents insofar as it relates to him and the position he holds.
“Please note that there was no resolution to terminate Chief Kanime’s contract, hence his continued employment,” he said.
[email protected]
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