Governor fights for Opuwo CEOKunene Governor Angelika Muharukua has reportedly tried to lobby councillors at Opuwo to renew the contract of the town council’s chief executive officer, Alfons Tjitombo.
The CEO has come under fire from a pressure group at the town, which accused him of holding back the development of the town for the past decade.
The group alleges that there has been no development at Opuwo since 2006, when the town council appointed Tjitombo as CEO. According to sources within the council, the town councillors are divided over the renewal of the CEO’s contract, with only the mayor and deputy mayor supporting calls to have Tjitombo’s contract renewed.
There are seven local authority councillors at Opuwo, four representing Swapo and three representing the DTA.
It is reported that efforts by Muharukua to influence the reappointment of Tjitombo failed recently. The governor reportedly telephoned councillors and begged them to extend the term of office of the CEO. Tjitombo’s contract expires at the end of October.
“We are wondering why the governor is so interested in the CEO’s contract extension. She held a meeting with all of us Swapo town councillors ordering us to support the CEO contract extension,” said a councillor who requested anonymity.
“Those from the opposition also told us that she even called them, begging them to vote for the CEO’s term extension. Her effort failed because we all want development in our town and it is high time we get a competent CEO with the interests of Opuwo development at heart.”
Land dealings
Some council sources allege that Muharukua has benefitted greatly from land acquisitions through Tjitombo over the years. Muharukua confirmed to Namibian Sun that she owns a number of undeveloped prime plots, including some acquired before independence. She added that all her land acquisitions were above board.
Muharukua is believed to have two residential plots at the town, while three years ago, she acquired a prime plot near the Opuwo airport, which is still undeveloped. In fact, when she was gender deputy minister, Muharukua had written to Tjitombo asking him to approve her application for more land.
“My son, as you are aware that I have applied for the plot that I would like to develop some time ago. I know I have allocated a plot which I see to it that is not big enough for me to establish the appropriate development I prefer. Therefore, through you my son once again I am requesting your office to allocate the whole plot to me from no. 9, 10, 11 and 12 as according to land surveyor [sic],” she wrote.
In 2013, the town councillors approved her request and the piece of land was given to her through her company Opuwo Duplex Development. There has been no development on the land.
Muharukua admitted that she obtained such a piece of land.
“Why are they only concerned with that land I acquired during Tjitombo’s term of office while I have been getting land for a long time? My first land I got in Opuwo is in Otuzemba and I will not sell it as many want me to do. About the plot near the airport, there is nothing wrong with me having such a plot because I pay for it,” she said.
Opuwo mayor Albert Tjiuma would neither confirm nor deny that the council voted not to renew the CEO’s term of office, saying that it is an internal matter. He also refused to comment on all allegations against the governor, saying he was not aware of anything.
“Let those who gave you information confirm everything to you,” Tjiuma said.
ILENI NANDJATO