KATIMA MULILO – The labour court has overturned the suspension of Katima Mulilo Town Council CEO Raphael Liswaniso, declaring the move unfair and ordering his immediate reinstatement.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, labour arbitrator Bester Maiba set aside the unpaid suspension and ordered the council to pay Liswaniso all backdated salary and benefits.
The dispute stems from 28 October 2025, when Liswaniso was removed from his post following allegations of maladministration and corruption related to land-for-vehicles deals. 

The suspension was carried out by a ministerial representative after Urban and Rural Development minister James Sankwasa dissolved the elected Council to conduct investigations. However, the specific charges were never officially disclosed, prompting Liswaniso to challenge the decision through the Labour Commissioner.

“Disgruntled with the suspension, the applicant was prompted to lodge a dispute with the Labour Commissioner seeking to nullify the suspension in its entirety,” Maiba wrote in his award.
During the proceedings, Liswaniso’s legal team – Advocate Puteho Kangumu and Bernard Tjatjara – argued that the suspension was unlawful because it occurred without a prior investigation or a formal hearing. 

They further contended that the ministerial representative overstepped their authority, as only the Council holds the legal power to suspend a CEO under the Local Authority Act.

The Council, represented by Kaijata Kangueehi, defended the action by stating the minister had the right to appoint a representative and that the suspension without pay followed municipal personnel rules. Despite these arguments, Maiba found the council’s internal process fundamentally flawed. 

He noted that the respondent failed to make a valid final decision on the suspension as required by the council’s own regulations.
Contacted for comment, Council spokesperson Chrispin Muyoba stated that while they have not yet officially reviewed the ruling, a meeting will be convened shortly to decide on the municipality’s next course of action.

-Nampa