Africa-Press – Namibia. THE management committee of Omuthiya Town Council has recommended the appointment of Ondonga Traditional Authority secretary Frans Enkali (62) as acting chief executive officer of the town.
The management committee, which consists of Swapo councillors, made the recommendation this month.
Sources told The Namibian that the council recommended Enkali, who is a senior traditional counsellor in the Ondonga Traditional Authority, despite sitting with applications of people who expressed interest in the chief executive officer (CEO)’s position.
Enkali, who is also the spokesperson of the traditional authority, served as the chief executive officer of Okahandja municipality before he was appointed as Oshikoto chief regional officer (CRO).
He retired from public service in 2020.
According to council documents seen by The Namibian, Omuthiya mayor Johannes Ndeutepo identified Enkali as a potential and suitable candidate to “spearhead the council’s operation as temporary chief executive officer until a substantive chief executive officer is hired”.
Enkali told The Namibian that he was not privy to the matter.
“No, no, I think it’s the wrong person. I don’t have such information and nobody has approached me yet. It’s the first time I’m hearing something of that kind,” Enkali says.
The council documents read: “Since the departure of the former chief executive officer, it has been three years now Omuthiya Town Council does not have a substantive CEO as an institutional head. This has caused the council not to deliver the services to the residents as it’s required and execute its functions to its best capacity.”
The council further stressed that acting chief executive Simon Ngulondo, who has been acting in the position for over two years, is heading two departments at the same time.
The council said this is a burden which has held back many council projects.
The council expects Enkali to implement council resolutions passed years ago but have not yet been implemented.
However, when contacted for comment, Ndeutepo initially pleaded ignorance of the council recommendations but he later said the information in The Namibian’s possession was confidential.
“I know Mr Enkali is willing to assist council because council is currently in a leadership crisis but council did not resolve to appoint Mr Enkali. I think whoever gave you that information, it was supposed to be confidential […] and I think this call is recorded” he said.
Asked why the council wants Enkali, who is a pensioner, Ndeutapo asked: “Why is that an issue? He has retired as Oshikoto CRO.”
Ndeutepo said the council does not have anyone who can be appointed as acting CEO.
The mayor said the council opted for Enkali after it failed to get an option from the Oshikoto Regional Council, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, and sister local authorities.
In the letter, Ngulondo said the decision to identify an acting CEO was taken during a management meeting held on 14 June 2022.
However, Independent Patriots for Change councillor Thomas Ekandjo has written to the management committee condemning the council’s decision to hand-pick an acting chief executive officer.
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