IPC councillors vindicated in suspension dispute
A decision by former Omuthiya mayor Johannes Ndeutepo and council members to suspend three Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) councillors and defying a ministerial directive to reinstate them is set to hit the coffers of the cash-strapped local authority following a settlement agreement reached between the parties.
The agreement, entered into on 29 August, has not yet been issued as a formal court order.
Nghipudilo ya Shiindi, Moses Amukoto and Beata Josef will, according to the document, be compensated for the outstanding allowances forfeited during their suspension.
The trio were suspended on 24 July 2023 after they convened a meeting with community members on 2 July 2023 that was not sanctioned by the local authority.
Under the signed settlement agreement, the council has agreed to pay Ya Shiindi N$78 960, while both Amukoto and Josef are each to receive N$48 706.
The council could also be liable for the trio’s legal costs, which are reported to be around N$200 000, but this has not yet been confirmed.
The trio is represented by lawyer Norman Tjombe.
Suspension
Following the 2023 meeting, Ndeutepo reported the matter to the council.
Together with Swapo-elected councillors, a decision was taken to suspend the group.
Amukoto and Josef were suspended for 30 days, while Ya Shiindi was suspended indefinitely.
In December 2023, former urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni instructed Ndeutepo to reinstate Ya Shiindi, but the directive was reportedly ignored.
“The council is also hereby directed to lift the indefinite suspension from office of councillor Ya Shiindi with immediate effect and to reimburse her with all allowances that were stopped as a result of her suspension,” the minister wrote.
This prompted the trio to approach the Windhoek High Court.
Ya Shiindi served her suspension until she was reinstated on 27 June 2024. She resigned in May.
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The agreement, entered into on 29 August, has not yet been issued as a formal court order.
Nghipudilo ya Shiindi, Moses Amukoto and Beata Josef will, according to the document, be compensated for the outstanding allowances forfeited during their suspension.
The trio were suspended on 24 July 2023 after they convened a meeting with community members on 2 July 2023 that was not sanctioned by the local authority.
Under the signed settlement agreement, the council has agreed to pay Ya Shiindi N$78 960, while both Amukoto and Josef are each to receive N$48 706.
The council could also be liable for the trio’s legal costs, which are reported to be around N$200 000, but this has not yet been confirmed.
The trio is represented by lawyer Norman Tjombe.
Suspension
Following the 2023 meeting, Ndeutepo reported the matter to the council.
Together with Swapo-elected councillors, a decision was taken to suspend the group.
Amukoto and Josef were suspended for 30 days, while Ya Shiindi was suspended indefinitely.
In December 2023, former urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni instructed Ndeutepo to reinstate Ya Shiindi, but the directive was reportedly ignored.
“The council is also hereby directed to lift the indefinite suspension from office of councillor Ya Shiindi with immediate effect and to reimburse her with all allowances that were stopped as a result of her suspension,” the minister wrote.
This prompted the trio to approach the Windhoek High Court.
Ya Shiindi served her suspension until she was reinstated on 27 June 2024. She resigned in May.
[email protected]
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