||Kharas council boss slams "delusional" corruption claims
'There is no conflict of interest.'
The Chairperson of the ||Kharas Regional Council, Josef Isaack, has strongly refuted allegations of corruption in the hiring of council employees, saying the council does not engage in any irregular recruitment practices.
Speaking during a press conference in Keetmanshoop on Monday, Isaack said reports suggesting that councillors were involved in favouritism and nepotism in the appointment of a senior administrative officer were misleading and unfounded.
“We are here to put things in perspective and to clear the air for our residents and the nation at large,” Isaack said.
Isaack took issue with what he described as factual inaccuracies in the allegations, clarifying that the council operates within clear legal and procedural frameworks and “always seeks to uphold the rule of law.”
“Our human resource procedures are transparent and unambiguous,” he said, rejecting claims that the appointment of senior administrative officer Hermina Thomas was irregular. “The appointment is compatible with the prescribed laws and processes. The Anti-Corruption Commission failed to consult the relevant legislation that is applicable in this regard.”
No conflict of interest
According to Isaack, the appointment followed due process as set out in the Public Service Act 2 of 1980, which allows the council to vary from the recommendations of interview panels, provided it records and justifies the reasons.
He explained that while four candidates were recommended, the council appointed the fourth candidate, Thomas, because she had been acting in the position for a year and had “manifested her hard-working skills in the role.”
“These given reasons are far removed from nepotism, favouritism, and corruption,” he insisted. “The appointed staff member was already in the council when we took office. There is no conflict of interest, no gratification, and no other improper influence in this or any other appointment.”
Isaack also defended the council’s record of inclusive hiring, pointing out that its top management includes officials from other regions.
“Our acting CRO hails from the northeast, the deputy director of HR and the deputy director of works and services hail from the Otjozondjupa region, and the deputy director for finance and administration is from Hardap. If those appointments are not construed as corruption, then why should appointing a qualified person from our own region be?” he asked.
The chairperson accused oversight bodies such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Office of the Ombudsman of misinterpreting the law and making “blanket statements” about discrimination.
“If the Ombudsman says there is discrimination, perhaps it is a fair discrimination. You find fair discrimination, and you find unfair discrimination,” he said.
ACC recommendation
Isaack expressed frustration that state institutions charged with protecting democracy might themselves be undermining it. “If the agencies of democracy — the ACC, the Ombudsman, the Public Service Commission — fail us and misrepresent facts, then I can see a danger,” he warned.
He further sought to contextualise the controversy within Namibia’s political system, arguing that regional councillors are elected to serve the people of their constituencies. Citing the Electoral Act of 2014, Isaack said candidates campaign and are voted for by people in specific areas, creating legitimate expectations that elected leaders will prioritise local employment. “Therefore, I will always stand for preferential treatment for the people of this region for all opportunities that are in the region,” he stated.
Closing the press conference, Isaack urged the media and public to seek facts before forming opinions. “We are serious with our mandate. We want fairness, we want justice, we want everyone to have equal opportunities,” he concluded. “As much as you might implicate us in anything, we will continue to act within the parameters of the law.”
The Anti-Corruption Commission has recommended charges against four councillors in connection with the alleged hiring irregularities, but Isaack maintains that the council acted legally and transparently.
Speaking during a press conference in Keetmanshoop on Monday, Isaack said reports suggesting that councillors were involved in favouritism and nepotism in the appointment of a senior administrative officer were misleading and unfounded.
“We are here to put things in perspective and to clear the air for our residents and the nation at large,” Isaack said.
Isaack took issue with what he described as factual inaccuracies in the allegations, clarifying that the council operates within clear legal and procedural frameworks and “always seeks to uphold the rule of law.”
“Our human resource procedures are transparent and unambiguous,” he said, rejecting claims that the appointment of senior administrative officer Hermina Thomas was irregular. “The appointment is compatible with the prescribed laws and processes. The Anti-Corruption Commission failed to consult the relevant legislation that is applicable in this regard.”
No conflict of interest
According to Isaack, the appointment followed due process as set out in the Public Service Act 2 of 1980, which allows the council to vary from the recommendations of interview panels, provided it records and justifies the reasons.
He explained that while four candidates were recommended, the council appointed the fourth candidate, Thomas, because she had been acting in the position for a year and had “manifested her hard-working skills in the role.”
“These given reasons are far removed from nepotism, favouritism, and corruption,” he insisted. “The appointed staff member was already in the council when we took office. There is no conflict of interest, no gratification, and no other improper influence in this or any other appointment.”
Isaack also defended the council’s record of inclusive hiring, pointing out that its top management includes officials from other regions.
“Our acting CRO hails from the northeast, the deputy director of HR and the deputy director of works and services hail from the Otjozondjupa region, and the deputy director for finance and administration is from Hardap. If those appointments are not construed as corruption, then why should appointing a qualified person from our own region be?” he asked.
The chairperson accused oversight bodies such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Office of the Ombudsman of misinterpreting the law and making “blanket statements” about discrimination.
“If the Ombudsman says there is discrimination, perhaps it is a fair discrimination. You find fair discrimination, and you find unfair discrimination,” he said.
ACC recommendation
Isaack expressed frustration that state institutions charged with protecting democracy might themselves be undermining it. “If the agencies of democracy — the ACC, the Ombudsman, the Public Service Commission — fail us and misrepresent facts, then I can see a danger,” he warned.
He further sought to contextualise the controversy within Namibia’s political system, arguing that regional councillors are elected to serve the people of their constituencies. Citing the Electoral Act of 2014, Isaack said candidates campaign and are voted for by people in specific areas, creating legitimate expectations that elected leaders will prioritise local employment. “Therefore, I will always stand for preferential treatment for the people of this region for all opportunities that are in the region,” he stated.
Closing the press conference, Isaack urged the media and public to seek facts before forming opinions. “We are serious with our mandate. We want fairness, we want justice, we want everyone to have equal opportunities,” he concluded. “As much as you might implicate us in anything, we will continue to act within the parameters of the law.”
The Anti-Corruption Commission has recommended charges against four councillors in connection with the alleged hiring irregularities, but Isaack maintains that the council acted legally and transparently.
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