Swartz under fire Twenty charges against Reho''s HR manager The human resources manager of the Rehoboth Town Council, Willie Swartz has been charged with 20 counts of severe misconduct, theft and corruption. The Rehoboth Town Council on Friday reinstated its human resources manager Willie “Mistake” Swartz despite 20 “serious” charges which include embezzlement charges of more than N$13 million and losses incurred by the council of N$1.8 million.The reinstatement comes despite the fact that the town’s CEO Christophe //Uirab suspended him on Thursday of last week, out of fear that he would complicate investigations into these charges, specifically related to intimidation and harassment of staff.
According to //Uirab the relationship between him and the council is also very “unhealthy”.
“I do not think they have the right to set my decision aside, but the minister will have to decide whether the council has done right,” he said.
According to //Uirab the town’s management however rejected his decision to suspend Swartz, which makes him wonder why Swartz, is so “untouchable”.
“It is funny that they are against it; they did not reject other suspensions and the allegations against Swartz are very severe. We needed to suspend him so that he does not interfere with the investigations – they are very serious,” said //Uirab.
According to social media discussions, town council staff abandoned the offices early Friday morning to strike over 10% salary increments.
This strike, according to //Uirab, was instigated by Swartz, which forced him to report a charge of trespassing on Friday afternoon.
“I am at the police station to report a complaint about trespassing against him. I hear he is telling people that the council has already approved increases but I am refusing to give the go-head,” he said.
Charges
Meanwhile, according to council documents the first charge against Swartz is that the whole or a portion of N$13million for the Westridge Development has been transferred into his personal bank account at Bank Windhoek.
The second charge alleged that on 27 May 2016 Swartz applied for a study loan of N$30 000 to pursue studies with the Australian Institute of Business (AIB) which he received.
However according to the charge sheet Swartz allegedly never paid this money to AIB and is not registered with the institution.
It is also alleged that Swartz applied for a study loan of N$22 000 in 2012 to pursue a degree programme but has to date failed to repay the loan.
The third charge alleges that Swartz has allegedly failed to repay payments amounting to N$45 117.90 for retirement and social security following his re-appointment.
The fourth charge alleges that Swartz failed to sign an agreement with the Africa Huaxia mine outside the town which as has resulted in a loss of approximately N$1.8 million over the past five years. Allegedly he has a personal business contract with the mine for the transportation of workers to and from the mine.
“This arrangement is in direct violation of corporate government principles, as it is a direct conflict of interest,” the charges sheet read.
Swartz is further accused of allegedly claiming N$20 000 for kilometres on official trips, despite not using his own vehicle which is reportedly broken.
He is also charged with intimidating an employee who raised concern over his alleged decision to appoint a casual worker who was allegedly involved in theft while working for the council in the past.
//Uirab also accused Swartz of tribalism for reportedly saying “I will make sure that by the end of the year, there will be no Basters working for the council.”
Swartz is also accused of fraudulently obtaining a motor vehicle allowance without proof of the purchase of a car.
There are several other charges on the documents in possession of Namibian Sun which includes infringements of procedures and negligence, including allegedly paying out severance packages to staff that have left the council voluntarily.
“The scenario if proven during the investigation process would mean that the council has lost thousands of Namibian dollars due to your negligence in the performance of your duties,” said //Uirab.
Hardap Governor Esme Isaak, when contacted, said knows nothing about these charges or the suspension.
“Those people do their things on their own without informing me. Never call me again when it concerns the Rehoboth Town Council,” she said before ending the call abruptly.
The line minister Sophia Shaningwa also pleaded ignorance about the affairs at Rehoboth.
JEMIMA BEUKES