Swapo joins Rehoboth leadership scuffle

JEMIMA BEUKES



WINDHOEK

Swapo councillors at the Rehoboth town council, Mara Beukes and Jacky Khariseb, are opposed to planned disciplinary proceedings against the town’s CEO Simeon Kanime.

The pair allege that the action by mayor Rudie van Wyk – who was voted to council on a Rehoboth Independent Town Management Association (Ritma) ticket, is driven by a tribal agenda.

They also accuse Van Wyk of trying to push Kanime out so that a local can be appointed as CEO.

“It was clear from the onset of our assumption of duty that the mayor’s first agenda was to get rid of the CEO.

“All this was part of his campaign strategy to get rid of the current CEO in favour of a local resident as was alluded by him on social media that the CEO should “f**k back” to Oshakati. One can clearly not ignore the racial and tribal undertone of Van Wyk’s agenda,” Beukes said.

As a result, the leadership of the town council is at loggerheads, with internal fights threatening to derail service delivery at the town.

Sabotage

Van Wyk wants Kanime to be disciplined for alleged gross mismanagement, insubordination, abuse of council funds and absconding from work, among other things.

The mayor also accused Swapo of sabotage, claiming the party instructed its councillors and Kanime to make sure they create chaos.

The two Swapo councillors have denied Van Wyk’s claims.

The mayor has since written to urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni for approval to institute disciplinary measures against Kanime.

“To date, we have not received any response nor has any feedback been received regarding this serious allegation. Nevertheless, we will inform the minister, deputy minister and governor of the ongoing state of affairs regarding other more serious misconduct, insubordination, being absent without leave and other undermining activities,” he said.

Substantial report

In an 87-page report compiled by Van Wyk, Kanime’s alleged transgressions include the approval of a N$4 million tender for prepaid water meters to private company Item Engineering. This was allegedly done without council approval and also exceeding budgetary provision.

According to the mayor, the tender bidding documents for this process were allegedly lost and no copies were available at the town council office, while there is also no proof of a request made for exception or direct procurement.

“The request for appointment of Item Engineering as recommended by Kanime to the procurement unit was declined. Nonetheless, the CEO used his power as accounting officer and issued an appointment letter for the supply and delivery of prepaid water meters, which was successfully completed and payment processed,” Van Wyk said.

The mayor also blames Kanime for the town’s electricity woes because he allegedly failed to ensure that a payment arrangement with NamPower is honoured.

The council on 14 September 2020 made an arrangement with the electricity supplier to pay off Rehoboth’s N$131 million debt in 62 instalments.

Meanwhile, Uutoni indicated that he is unaware of the allegations against Kanime.

Witch-hunt

Kanime, who feels the Van Wyk is out to remove him from his position, dismissed the allegations.

“The procurement of the meters was necessitated by Covid-19. I did not want council to lose out on revenue and the solution was to procure meters. An executive and strategic decision had to be made to safeguard council from huge debts with the supplier.

“It was even long before the new councillors came. So, I don't know what the fuss is with Rudi,” he said.

He added that Van Wyk’s claims are lies, further explaining that the NamPower arrangement could not be honoured because the council has not been able to collect enough revenue.

The CEO called for an independent probe to prove the veracity of Van Wyk’s allegations.

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