Renthia Kaimbi
Katima Mulilo Town Council chief executive officer Raphael Liswaniso says he has appealed against his suspension without pay, calling the decision unfair and unclear.
He said he submitted an appeal regarding his salary with the council’s administrator.
The town council suspended Liswaniso with immediate effect on Tuesday. The suspension follows months of corruption allegations that have surrounded the council, including reports of land-for-vehicle “barter” deals and questionable public-private partnerships.
The council said the decision was made to allow investigations to proceed without interference and in line with due process.
“That one I have appealed. Why without pay? I was just given a letter. The letter does not state reasons for my suspension, except only to say I am suspended to pave the way for the forthcoming investigation. Yes, that’s what I am suspended for,” Liswaniso told the Windhoek Observer.
He said the law cited in his suspension letter allows for suspension without pay only during a formal disciplinary process.
“There is no disciplinary process ongoing against me; therefore, I don’t understand from which point I am suspended without pay,” he said.
Liswaniso added that no formal allegations have been shared with him and believes the move may have been orchestrated.
“One would definitely deduce it from that point. The administrator was appointed for six months, not for three months until November, from which, in December, the council takes over. But then, the minister assumes duty…until February next year. It means the minister will still be running the council after the election. One could deduce that the councillors were removed, and then the only person that was left to be removed was the chief executive officer himself. I don’t want to rely on that, but that is my thinking. Maybe it’s based on that. I don’t know if it’s political or something else, but a lot is going on,” he said.
Sources within the municipality told the Windhoek Observer the suspension was necessary to ensure an impartial investigation.
“You cannot properly investigate the accounting officer while he is still in his office, with access to files and influence over staff,” said one insider.
The move comes three months after Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa dissolved the town council for failing to follow his directives.
Sankwasa appointed former member of parliament Marina Kandumbu as the council’s administrator.
When contacted for comment, Kandumbu confirmed that Liswaniso’s suspension was intended to allow investigations into several allegations possibly linked to him and broader governance issues.
Meanwhile, a series of break-ins and a recent fire at the council offices have left the town’s administration in turmoil.
The causes are still under investigation, but there is speculation that the incidents may be linked to attempts to destroy documents related to the ongoing probe.
The appointment of an acting CEO in Liswaniso’s absence remains unclear.
