Renthia Kaimbi
Tsumeb residents want acting chief executive officer Frans Enkali removed, saying his extended tenure is draining municipal resources.
Enkali, a retired chief regional officer of the Oshikoto region, was appointed more than a year ago on what was meant to be a three-month contract to oversee the recruitment of a permanent CEO.
Despite interviews having been conducted before his appointment, the position remains vacant.
The Tsumeb Concerned Residents Association, led by Lisken Claasen, is calling for his replacement by either a permanent CEO or an existing head of department.
“We are tired of engaging a CEO that is still familiarising himself with the operations of the municipality and who has no clue what is really going on. While he is earning a salary, work is piling up and the needs of our community remain unattended to,” Claasen said.
The community says his stay is draining resources, with the municipality allegedly paying for his lodging in Tsumeb and travel to his home village, where he also serves as spokesperson of the Ondonga Traditional Authority. Claasen has asked Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa to visit Tsumeb to investigate what she called “corruption within the institution”.
She also criticised the council for failing to write off old debts and for awarding road contracts to companies from outside the town.
“We will stage another demonstration again if Enkali is not removed. The stagnation of service delivery at the municipality has become a pain in the neck,” Claasen warned.
Mayor Mathews Hangula defended Enkali’s appointment last year, saying he was “found capable to lead the municipality.”
He said his term would end once a permanent CEO is appointed.
Hangula maintained that Enkali’s term would end once a permanent CEO is appointed.
Contacted this week, Hangula said the post will be re-advertised early next month but gave no timeline for when a permanent appointment will be made.
Residents say they are no longer convinced by the council’s explanations after more than a year without clarity on succession.
