The Windhoek High Court yesterday postponed the ruling concerning the now-retired City Police chief Abraham Kanime’s re-appointment to his position in 2020.
Kanime went on retirement on 30 April after his three-year contract came to an end. In April 2020, Kanime was offered a three-year contract after he had resigned from his position in January 2020.
At the time, it was reported that Kanime landed a three-year contract worth about N$6.6 million.
Kanime’s pay package included a yearly basic salary of at least N$1.4 million, a car allowance of N$302 000, a housing allowance of N$492 000, and an additional annual bonus of N$116 000.
Council documents indicated at the time that Kanime was handed the new contract to avoid uncertainty and a leadership vacuum at the City Police.
However, before going on retirement in April, Kanime had taken the Windhoek City Council to court over the decision it took in February 2021 to start a recruitment process to appoint a new head of the city police all while he was still occupying the position.
In his suit, he also wants the court to declare a regulation made by the minister of home affairs in 2002 as invalid and unconstitutional.
The said regulation states that a municipal council must consult the inspector general of the Namibian Police before it appoints someone as head of its municipal police.
In response to Kanime’s suit, City of Windhoek countersued him, demanding he pays back all the money paid to him over the three years, citing that the said three-year contract was unlawful.
The council wants a return of nearly N$4.5 million in salary and N$906 804 for the car allowance the city has paid Kanime over a three years.
They also want a return of the monthly N$40 490 Kanime was paid for housing allowance during the period.
On top of the money the council wants to be returned, they also seek a review and setting aside of the management council’s decisions that were taken on 28 and 29 April 2020.
These decisions include the appointment of Pahukeni Titus as acting CEO and the decision to extend Kanime’s contract for another three years.
The management committee at the time comprised Fransina Kahungu as chairperson, Moses Shikwa, Loide Kaiyamo, Emmanuel Paulus, Teckla Uuwanga, Ian Subasubani, Priska Kahuure, Ananias Niizimba, Hileni Ulumbu and Agatha Ashilelo.
The ruling in the matter will be delivered on 28 June by judge Hannelie Prinsloo.
Sisa Namandje is representing Kanime while Patrick Kauta is for City of Windhoek.
– mamakali@nepc.com.na