2006-01-31Staff Report 2 "By Emma Kakololo WINDHOEK The suspended Rundu Town Clerk, Lukas Muhepa, yesterday challenged the Rundu Town Council to provide proof of its claims that the troubled official held meetings inciting members of staff to rebel against the authority. Several weeks ago, the authority rejected his claims that it banned him from entering its premises, insisting it only briefed staff members about his suspension. The town council believes Muhepa conducted clandestine meetings at its offices where he apparently incited workers to turn against the town council. ""There is no need for me to go and approach the staff to go against the council. It would be improper behaviour and a shame to the community because I know the matter has been placed in the hands of lawyers,"" he said. ""If I do that, it will show that I am a coward, who cannot stand and give the facts in front of any legal hearing or court. Council must identify the days when I had these meetings,"" he stressed. Muhepa insisted that the town council took a decision to bar him from its premises and even forbade him from visiting their offices to avoid him having contact with employees. ""Despite the suspension, I'm still a client of the council and would continue to visit the offices to settle my monthly municipal bills,"" he said. He says he is still waiting for the disciplinary hearing of his case which is expected soon. Muhepa has been on suspension for almost a year now on a host of charges concerning alleged irregularities. He served the council for thirteen years. ""In June last year, they promised the same thing and up to now, nothing has happened. We inquired about this with my lawyers with no feedback,"" he stated. ""Why should I be punished because of the delay from the side of the council,"" he inquired. The Chairman of the Management Committee of the Town Council, Christophorus Kudumo, could not be reached for comment." 2006-01-31Staff Report 2
