The Okahao Town Council will close its doors today for disinfection following the sudden death of a security guard whose lifeless body was discovered on Saturday morning in his duty office. 

According to mayor Cornelia Iiyambula, the town’s management decided to disinfect the office today and meet tomorrow to find the appropriate working modalities for staff. 

 “We have decided to disinfect the entire premises as a precautionary measure for Covid-19 while we are waiting for the cause of death to be established,” said Iiyambula.

Omusati crime investigations coordinator Moses Simaho said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of death. “Preliminary investigations indicate that there was no foul play being suspected,” he said.

The 37-year-old security officer hails from Omufitu-weelo in the Outapi constituency.

Some staff at the local authority have accused the town council of not doing enough to decongest the office in order to curb the possible spread of Covid-19.

To that, Iiyambula explained the council suspended the rotational schedules, claiming some employees were not performing. 

“I am informed that the management took a decision to recall everyone back to work because most of them were not available for duty when they were called to come to work. They did not understand that they are working from home.

They took it as a vacation. Therefore, tomorrow, we are going to find new modalities to make sure we reduce the groups and minimise the workers on duty,” she said. Acting town council CEO Simon Shinguto urged staff to remain calm as the cause of the death of the security guard was not yet established. 

“We are only taking precautionary measures to disinfect the office, but we are not saying the deceased died of Covid-19. Hence, staff must be calm while the cause of death is being established,” he said. -ljason@nepc.com.na