Africa-Press – Namibia. HARDAP education director Gerhard Ndafenongo says the attempt to expel him from the Hardap Regional Council is due to tribalism.
Ndafenongo says he received a letter in which Hardap Regional Council chairperson Gershon Dausab instructed him to vacate his office at the council about two weeks ago.
In the letter, Dausab also instructed Ndafenongo, whose duty station is based at Mariental, to instead report to the executive director of education, arts and culture, Sanet Steenkamp, in Windhoek.
Steenkamp has advised Ndafenongo through the office of Hardap’s acting chief regional officer to maintain his position as appointed. “The ministry encourages you to remain steadfast, professional, and to continue rendering services in line with the required legal frameworks, rules and regulations as set out,” she has said.
Ndafenongo says he was not provided with a reason why he had to vacate the office, and attributed the move to tribalism at the council. “I have been in meetings where I was told they don’t want me or Oshiwambo-speaking people in positions at the regional council,” he says, adding he was still at office.
Ndafenongo’s lawyers, Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys, have since written to Dausab, described his actions as unlawful. The attorneys say Ndafenongo’s transfer from his current duty station can only be sanctioned by the executive director of the education ministry.
“Any cases of serious grievances in respect of our client should be communicated to the line ministry, and be dealt with in accordance with the provisions and procedures laid down in the public service staff regulations which deal with grievances and representations,” said his lawyers.
Dausab could not be reached for comment. The Hardap Regional Council has been under the control of Landless People’s Movement councillors since the 2020 regional council and local authority elections.
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