Missing Merc causes Hardap twist
A Mercedes-Benz sedan, driven by the chair of the Hardap Regional Council has been written off and there is no proof of insurance while councillors say they were unaware of the purchase.
Emotions ran high on Friday when members of the Hardap Regional Council walked out of a full council meeting over the chairperson Edward Wambo's failure to explain how he had written off a brand new Mercedes-Benz sedan.
Hardap Regional Councillor, Nico Mugenga, told Namibian Sun that by Friday some councillors were not even aware that the vehicle was bought, let alone in an accident.
“When we asked him about the accident, he was so casual and acted as if we were unfair. According to him so many government cars are in accidents, what then is the fuss with this one? But he did not write an accident report, which is standard procedure and on top of that this vehicle is not in accordance with the motivation he gave,” said Mungenga.
According to him, Wambo insisted that the vehicle is needed for official duties, but Mungenga argues that a Mercedes-Benz is a luxury vehicle and not appropriate for rainy conditions on gravel roads.
“We do not need this vehicle in this financially trying time. He has got his own vehicle, imagine he even compared this Mercedes-Benz with a Toyota Corolla. Why then can he not make use of a Toyota Corolla?” asked Mungenga.
Mungenga also took issue with Wambo's alleged explanation of the accident saying he had reportedly hit a warthog about 5km outside Rehoboth.
“Since when do you encounter warthogs where people are living, unless someone is farming with warthogs along the road?”
At this point it is also not clear whether the luxury vehicle worth N$615 520 was insured at all.
According to Mungenga, administration staff told them on Friday that the vehicle was insured, but did not provide any material proof of the insurance.
Meanwhile the CEO of the Hardap Regional Council Theresia Basson told Namibian Sun that “no accident” took place therefore the question of insurance is irrelevant.
According to Mungenga, Basson's denial is a manifestation of how the council management committee members protect each other's “corrupt deeds”.
“From now on we will sit and watch them plunder state resources from the periphery because nothing is done. This accident is just one of the many mishaps of the Hardap administration.
“We have reported it to the Swapo party level as well as to the line ministry. I personally submitted a vote of no confidence against Wambo in the management meeting during 2016, but nothing is done,” Mungenga lamented.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Hardap Regional Councillor, Nico Mugenga, told Namibian Sun that by Friday some councillors were not even aware that the vehicle was bought, let alone in an accident.
“When we asked him about the accident, he was so casual and acted as if we were unfair. According to him so many government cars are in accidents, what then is the fuss with this one? But he did not write an accident report, which is standard procedure and on top of that this vehicle is not in accordance with the motivation he gave,” said Mungenga.
According to him, Wambo insisted that the vehicle is needed for official duties, but Mungenga argues that a Mercedes-Benz is a luxury vehicle and not appropriate for rainy conditions on gravel roads.
“We do not need this vehicle in this financially trying time. He has got his own vehicle, imagine he even compared this Mercedes-Benz with a Toyota Corolla. Why then can he not make use of a Toyota Corolla?” asked Mungenga.
Mungenga also took issue with Wambo's alleged explanation of the accident saying he had reportedly hit a warthog about 5km outside Rehoboth.
“Since when do you encounter warthogs where people are living, unless someone is farming with warthogs along the road?”
At this point it is also not clear whether the luxury vehicle worth N$615 520 was insured at all.
According to Mungenga, administration staff told them on Friday that the vehicle was insured, but did not provide any material proof of the insurance.
Meanwhile the CEO of the Hardap Regional Council Theresia Basson told Namibian Sun that “no accident” took place therefore the question of insurance is irrelevant.
According to Mungenga, Basson's denial is a manifestation of how the council management committee members protect each other's “corrupt deeds”.
“From now on we will sit and watch them plunder state resources from the periphery because nothing is done. This accident is just one of the many mishaps of the Hardap administration.
“We have reported it to the Swapo party level as well as to the line ministry. I personally submitted a vote of no confidence against Wambo in the management meeting during 2016, but nothing is done,” Mungenga lamented.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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