Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Gobabis Municipality has postponed the disciplinary hearing for Frieda Shimakeleni, the suspended strategic executive for human resources and corporate services.
The postponement was announced in a letter dated 9 July by the chief executive officer, Sophia Eises seen by the Windhoek Observer.
The letter cited the need for all officials to participate in the compilation of the 2024/2025 budget, as mandated by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, which has set a final submission date of 17 July 2024.
‘Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to finalise the budget in time for submission,” read the letter.
The hearing was originally scheduled from 15 to 18 July 2024.
Eises did not respond to the questions sent to her.
The charges against Shimakeleni include disobeying work-related orders, leaking confidential municipal council information to unauthorised persons, and interfering with evidence in an unrelated investigation.
Shimakeleni, along with five other officials, has been on suspension since May 2021. During this period, they received full remuneration.
In response to the postponement, a letter addressed to the Executive Director of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, Nghidinua Daniel, highlighted that the decision to postpone the hearing lies with the chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee, not the CEO.
The letter stated, “It is thus not for the chief executive officer to decide whether or not the matter should be postponed.”
When contacted for comment, Daniel said, “I was out of the country and will only be in office tomorrow. I will only be able to answer then.”
The suspended employees, including Shimakeleni, Johannes Nantuua, Ashipala Shilemba, Fillemon Makili, Paul Kayambu, and Kondjeni Nghiwanapo, are challenging their suspensions in court, arguing that the charges are political and tribal, as they are all affiliates of the ruling Swapo party and from the same ethnic group.
Steve Adonis, manager for health and community services, is also in a legal dispute with the municipality over unpaid salaries, which have accumulated over ten years.
He claims to be owed over N$1.2 million.
