Obrein Simasiku
The Tsumeb Municipality has reconsidered and caved in to the remuneration demand of the successful Chief Executive position candidate.
The local authority has been without a substantive CEO for years, until they now have lured, Victoria Kapenda, who in 2019 rejected an offer from the municipality.
Kapenda, as director in government was earning a salary of not less than N$512 809, excluding allowance, while the annual salary of a local authority CEO is around N$447 979 excluding, fringe benefits.
It has come to light that the municipality bowed to Kapenda’s demand and adjusted the salary to suit the candidate following a back and forth horse trading. Kapenda will resume duty on June 1.
The Mayor of Tsumeb Mathew Hangula, was sceptical to divulge the remuneration, saying, “it’s personal, I am scared to indulge into that, but if you want to know precisely consult Human Resources.”
Meanwhile, Kapenda confirmed that the remuneration issue was addressed and has been adjusted. “All issues surrounding employment and remuneration have been discussed and ironed out. Yes, the salary was adjusted,” said Kapenda, without revealing the figure.
In addition, she said, she accepted the offer for personal growth and career growth. “One needs to change, learn and grow, so this was for personal reasons, and I accepted the offer,” she stated.
“What is important is that, we have finally secured the candidate and we reached consensus. Why it happened now and she decided to accept the offer, it’s perhaps just timing and personal mastery,” said Hangula, downplaying the salary factor.
It took the municipality nearly four years to conclude the recruitment process since the departure of former CEO Alfeus Benjamin, who left for Swakopmund Municipality.
Furthermore, Hangula said the municipality is busy finalising its strategic plan for the next five years, hence it will be expected of the new CEO to work and implement the projects and activities as outlined.
“This strategic plan is running concurrently with the employment term of the CEO, therefore we are expecting her to perform accordingly, and her performance will be measured,” he reiterated.
On her part, Kapenda said she wants to focus on employee relations, excellent service provision, debt collection as well as enforcing income collection system.
“I am aware residents owe the municipality, therefore I will work towards creating a reliable and smart system to collect revenue, so that it can be reinvested into implementing developmental projects for the benefit of the populace,” she assured.
