Rudolf Gaiseb 

The Opuwo Town Council is in the hot seat after allegations of unprocedurally appointing a second-ranking interviewee. 

The first-ranking interviewee Gerson Hinambangi Musewa, is a lawyer and accountant by training and a former employee at the council. 

The interviews were for the position of manager for finance, information technology and asset management. 

Musewa told New Era that the interview took place on 27 January 2025 at the council. 

“I was reliably informed by credible sources that I did well, and I scored first. Five months later, these people appointed someone, who allegedly came second,” he said. 

The individual’s employment was effective on 1 June 2025. 

“According to the local authorities’ recruitment and selection regulations, council is supposed to appoint a person who scores first. If they want to apply affirmative action to appoint a disadvantaged candidate, they should have scored the same as the first person – only then can affirmative action apply. You can’t take someone who is below the first person and apply affirmative action. It is procedurally wrong,” he stated. 

In a letter dated 12 May 2025, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development executive director Wilhemine Shivute acknowledged the receipt of Musewa’s complaint. 

“Kindly be informed that your grievance was referred to the Opuwo