Keetmanshoop
The chief regional officer (CRO) of //Karas Regional Council (KRC) Saul Kahuika is set to see out his contract until end of this year after he withdrew his resignation this week. In a surprise turn of events, he withdrew his resignation and indicated he plans to continue as CRO until the end of December when his contract ends.
Kahuika had earlier tendered his resignation and was set to leave at the end of May. Speculation that he will carry on, despite resigning, was rife after the last-minute cancellation of his farewell party.
About 200 people were supposed to attend the party on Tuesday evening, which cost KRC about N$30 000 for 40 bottles of wine, 200 bottles of water, juice and decorations, as well as rental fees for the venue at a local guesthouse.
The occasion was, however, not to be as it was cancelled indefinitely on the same day without any valid reason, until Kahuika confirmed that he has changed his mind and is not leaving yet. He explained to New Era that after turning down several requests to see out his contract, some councillors made him change his mind.
He said there is a general feeling that he would be leaving at a critical time, as the council is without a director of planning, while some people are still new and need mentoring. Thus he decided to stay on and put everything in order. He will now only leave at the end of the year.
“I appreciate the trust councillors and some members of the public have in me,” he said.
Asked whether he would consider a contract extension beyond 2016, he hesitantly said he would cross that bridge when he gets there, stressing that it is too early to contemplate, even if someone has such an idea. “We’re not there yet, but I believe everyone comes here to work and there should be a time for them to leave and give others a chance,” he indicated.
A hesitant Kahuika said that extending his stay in the job beyond 2016 would be a tough call, as he is almost 60 years old and taking on another five-year term would take a toll on him.
A recent report by Nampa suggested that Kahuika had been offered a position at a private company in Tsumeb, thus prompting his resignation, but Kahuika refused to comment on the matter, saying he regards it as personal, but confirmed that the position he was offered is not based at Tsumeb.