Windhoek
The Maltahohe Village Council has spent close to N$1.3 million in the past three years on the salary of suspended chief executive officer Eliphas ‘Oupapa’ Shipanga.
Shipanga, who earns slightly more than N$36 000 a month that includes allowances worth N$6 125 and rent-free accommodation in a council house, was suspended on full pay on May 18, 2013.
He was suspended for alleged insubordination and alleged malpractices. At the time he vehemently dismissed the allegations that he misappropriated council funds.
Chairperson of the Maltahöhe Village Council, Richard Hansen, confirmed that Shipanga was still on full pay suspension.
Officials say council was still waiting to hear from its lawyer Clement Daniels to brief them on progress regarding the case.
Daniels was unavailable for comment as his phone went unanswered.
Minister of Urban and Rural Development Sofia Shaningwa yesterday referred all queries to the village council.
“What do you want me to say about that? Go and ask the village councillors themselves,” she said.
Shipanga’s active suspension is one of the longest in the country, bringing into question Maltahöhe’s seriousness in handling the matter and saving council funds.
Usakos Town Council CEO Gruzi Goseb has been on suspension for over a year now. He was suspended on April 2, 2015 following a decision taken by council.
However, this was not the first time Goseb was suspended – in June 2013 he was suspended for allegedly disregarding council resolutions.
Eventually Goseb returned to office in October 2013 after he was instructed by the line ministry to spearhead his own re-instatement, after officials that were instructed to do so took too long.
Another CEO on suspension is the Omaruru Village Council CEO, Edward Ganaseb, who has been suspended since 2013.
Ganaseb was suspended over corruption allegations.
Ganaseb continues to enjoy the perks of his job, including his salary, while on suspension.
He was arrested by officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission in an unrelated case involving a N$1 million tender but has since been released on bail of N$50 000, while he also remains out on bail of N$6 000 for stock theft at the town.