By William Mbangula OSHAKATI The Ondangwa Town Council has denied allegations that it has dropped its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bartholomeus Funneka Shigwedha. A source within the management committee told New Era that Shigwedha’s five-year term expired on May 12 but the council would retain his services until the end of July. In the meantime, the position has been advertised with the closing date of May 31. “It is neither a suspension nor is it a termination of service. All what we are doing is to carry out the directives from the ministry in a circular dated August 2005 that all CEOs who have been in charge since independence their term of office should expire on May 12,” said the source who declined to be named. It said: “We have advertised the position only to explore the outside market and he is also encouraged to apply and compete with other potential applicants. It is a pity and unfortunate that we are hearing negative stories which are not the true reflection of the situation.” The source noted that the expiry of the CEO’s term of service is not confined to Ondangwa alone but it has happened countrywide at places such as Katima Mulilo, Opuwo, Omaruru and many other towns. When approached for comment, Shigwedha promised to talk to New Era at a later stage.