WALVIS BAY – Former CEO of the Walvis Bay municipality Muronga Haingura is suing the council for N$17.9 million for loss of income, as his character was allegedly defamed by his suspension.
Haingura, through Metcalfe and Beukes Attorneys, on Wednesday notified council of his intention.
Haingura was suspended last December for about eight months to pave way for a forensic investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds and irregularities with the Massive Urban Land Servicing project.
Council initiated the suspension to pave way for a forensic investigation that was conducted by auditing firm PwC.
However, the content of the report was never shared due to an agreement between council and PwC.
“Preliminary particulars necessitate this action. Copious publicity of your baseless allegations that our client was alleged to have misappropriated N$24 million followed in the news media with malicious statements from council members to verify the veracity of such lies paraded in the media. A veritable public persecution was indulged in with the acquiescence of council members and staff adding fuel to this frenzy of alleged fraud by our client,” the letter from the lawyers reads.
According to them, a “secret” forensic report was provided at a cost of N$6 million for work done by the auditors from 19 February 2021 to its provision on 21 July 2021 to the acting CEO, but could discern no misappropriation by their client.
“Our client at all times undertook to assist the ACC with its investigation into his alleged misappropriation of funds. He, despite no statement on his alleged misappropriation of funds by the council, was reinstated. Prior to such reinstatement, council had already decided not to renew his contract of employment,” the letter reads.
According to the lawyers, Haingura became unemployable at the age of 57 with a retirement age of 65 due to the defamatory lie propagated by the council of the municipality and incurred losses of N$17 million. His second term as CEO ended in November this year.
He has been serving as CEO since 2011.
Both the mayor Trevino Forbes and the chairperson of the management committee Richard Hoaeb had no knowledge of the letter that was expected to be delivered by the sheriff.
“This is the first time I am hearing of this,” Forbes said yesterday.