Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Rehoboth Town Council is facing the auction of its property to settle a N$1.8 million payout to former employee Bertha Drotsky, following a High Court ruling delivered in June.
Councillor Jackie Jackson ‡Khariseb confirmed the ruling, saying, “The matter was agitated in favour of Bertha to a value of N$1.8 million, the council applied for an appeal under the judgement in June. The court held that whilst the appeal is granted, the order must be upheld and the N$1.8 million be paid out.”
The council attempted to comply with the court order while safeguarding funds during the appeal process.
“The council engaged with the legal representatives of Bertha’s to pay the award into the trust fund of the legal practitioner’s firm to ensure that the funds remain safe until the appeal is finalised. However, they rejected this proposal hence the pending auction of council property,” ‡Khariseb said.
He stressed that the council has not refused to pay.
“The council believes it has a strong appeal. The council did not refuse to pay the money that was awarded. We are in the process of appealing the public auction,” he said.
The dispute began with Drotsky’s legal challenge, which resulted in the High Court awarding her N$1.8 million.
Although the council immediately filed for appeal, the court ruled that the appeal did not suspend the order to pay.
Court documents reaffirm this point. “While the appeal is granted, the order must be upheld and the N$1.8 million must be paid out,” the ruling stated.
Drotsky’s representatives rejected the council’s proposal to hold the money in trust and demanded full payment.
Their refusal cleared the way for enforcement, including the auction of municipal assets.
The development has sparked public concern, as the sale of council property to settle the award could affect service delivery and local administration.
The council, however, maintains that it is committed to following the law while protecting public resources.
‡Khariseb repeated that the council had acted in good faith.
“The council engaged with the legal representatives of Bertha’s to pay the award into the trust fund of the legal practitioner’s firm to ensure that the funds remain safe until the appeal is finalised. However, they rejected this proposal; hence, the pending auction of council property,” he said.
