Maltahöhe defies Shaningwa

Maltahöhe defies ShaningwaNew accountant not qualified for job Jeffrey Goraseb was still in the office this week despite the line minister's order that his appointment at the Maltahöhe Village Council be cancelled. Urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa has ordered the Maltahöhe Village Council to rescind its decision to appoint an accountant amid allegations that the chosen candidate is not qualified for the job.

It appears that the minister's directive has been ignored as Jeffrey Goraseb was still in the office this week following his disputed appointment last month.

Shaningwa wrote to the village council on 26 June and warned the authorities that they will be held accountable and liable for any financial implications arising from their wrong decision and action if they did not immediately cancel the appointment of Goraseb as an accountant of the Maltahöhe Village Council.

The appointment was made without the approval of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development following allegations that Goraseb does not have the required qualifications or skills for the job.

The village council wrote to Shaningwa on 30 June, trying to justify the appointment of Goraseb.

According to the council, Goraseb was the only one of three shortlisted candidates who turned up for an interview on 5 May.

The acting CEO, Marianne Pieters, referred all enquiries to the Maltahöhe councillors.

The chairperson of the Maltahöhe Village Council, Richard Hansen, alleged that the council never received any directive or recruitment policy from the line ministry.

He maintained that the interview panel was selected and composed of candidates who met the required standards.

The council also maintained that Goraseb completed a Bachelor Degree in Commerce, but due to outstanding payments he did not receive his certificate. The council requested an audience with the minister to clarify the appointment.

Before the minister's intervention, the ministry's permanent secretary, Nghidinua Daniel, told the village council in a letter dated 12 June that the interview panellists had no financial background or knowledge.

“Our involvement in the filling of these positions was endorsed by cabinet under the intervention programme to address the skills deficit in administration and finance at village councils,” Daniel wrote.

“The ministry is directly responsible for the salaries for these positions from taxpayer money which requires accountability and a transparent recruitment process.”

Shaningwa directed the council to withdraw Goraseb's appointment letter with immediate effect. She demanded that the post be re-advertised with the minimum requirement of a diploma on NQF Level 6, or a bachelor's degree on NQF Level 7 in accounting, finance or business administration, with accounting as a major, or a Bachelor of Commerce degree with three years' experience.



FRED GOEIEMAN