Omusati falls back on suspended duo

The Omusati Regional Council finds itself in an awkward position after it emerged it has been making use of the services of its suspended chief regional officer and deputy finance director to sign off council transactions.

The two officials - chief regional officer Protasius Andowa and deputy finance director Elizabeth Mutota - were suspended almost a year ago amid accusations of corruption.

The two, along with finance director Gervasius Kashindi, are the only officials with signature rights to the council's account.

Three signatures are needed to sanction a transaction.

“Even though we are on suspension we are still the ones holding council's cheque signatory power, especially for the governor's office,” said Andowa.

“They always call us whenever they need money. When we were suspended they told us not to go far because they will need us from time to time.”

He told Namibian Sun no one from the regional council contacted them regarding their suspensions following reports that a resolution was passed to have them reinstated.

The two officials have, however, used their power when required to sign off transactions during their suspension.

They officials have receiving their full salaries and benefits since their suspension in August last year.

The Public Service Commission endorsed their suspension two months after the regional council presented it with the basis for the suspensions.

An investigation was since lodged and completed in November last year. The findings are yet to be made public.

The suspended officials have also not been informed of the outcome of the investigation, Namibian Sun understands.

The chairperson of the regional council, Modestus Amutse, has refused to comment on the issue.

This week Andowa said he was contacted by the attorney-general's office, informing him that consensus was reached with the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) for them to return to work this coming Monday.

“Nobody told me anything from the regional council. I only received a call from the attorney-general's office that Napwu would contact us for us to report for work next week Monday.”

Napwu general secretary Peter Nevonga refused to comment on Wednesday and referred Namibian Sun to the Omusati Regional Council.

It has also emerged that Kashindi, who was acting chief regional officer in the absence of Andowa, has handed over the office keys about the three weeks ago.