Charmaine Boois
The Malthahohe Development Community Forum on 15 November 2022 asked the chairperson of the village council to remove the acting CEO, claiming he is always travelling to attend workshops for financial gain and allegedly also earns two salaries.
They also want a permanent CEO to be appointed as soon as possible. The community of the village in the Hardap region asked for action and feedback within 14 days. Their pleas have so far landed on deaf ears.
“We, the community of Maltahohe, command the council to remove the current acting CEO with immediate effect, and we demand a permanent CEO to be appointed. Our plea is to your office to follow the Local Authorities Act of 1992, which applies to the village council. We hope for a response within the next 14 days,” according to the document.
The written request also includes alleged reasons why they want Gerson Tjitaura gone, such as saying the acting CEO receives two salaries and a travel allowance at the village council. They also alleged that the CEO is continually out of the office, attending numerous workshops, which supposedly have been created by the CEO and councillors for their amusement and gain, among other things.
The document also argues that the CEO and councillors have failed the people of Maltahohe – and as a result, they propose that an external official operate as CEO, rather than picking someone from the council’s senior managers as per established processes.
Hanna Swartbooi, the chairperson of the Village Council, responded by alleging the claims are lies told by an insider. “It is evident from the content of the letter that there is an insider behind this, and we know what the agenda is; it will be dealt with at the appropriate time,” said Swartbooi.
Swartbooi also responded to the specific allegations in the document that Tjitaura only receives a N$3 000 acting allowance from the village council, which is less than what they could pay their staff, and that the CEO has never travelled on the constituency’s invitation – and that if the CEO travels, it is by request to attend meetings and workshops; there is no financial gain.
“Maltahohe village councillors have never attended jolly rides or meetings under my captaincy. Let the insider please not give the media incorrect information,” said Swartbooi.