Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) yesterday suspended Katutura Central constituency councillor Rodman Katjaimo, following a failed trip to the Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom (UK) he organised.
THE Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) yesterday suspended Katutura Central constituency councillor Rodman Katjaimo, following a failed trip to the Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom (UK) he organised.
The decision to suspend the former sport journalist was taken at the party’s management committee in Windhoek.
Party secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe yesterday in a statement said the councillor has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of a hearing into his conduct.
During the time of his suspension, Katjaimo may not represent the movement publicly or at any other forum. He may also not make public pronouncements on matters related to the movement.
Katjaimo may not engage in the mass mobilisation of PDM structures.
“Pending the outcome of his disciplinary hearing, he is instructed not to carry out his duties and functions in the Khomas Regional Council, which includes a prohibition from accessing the Katutura Central constituency office,” Ngaringombe said.
He said the disciplinary committee will within a reasonable time provide Katjaimo with a charge sheet as directed by the party’s constitution.
Katjaimo did not answer calls or text messages sent to him yesterday, although he requested a text message from The Namibian.
Katjaimo has been accused of swindling various amounts of money from a group of Namibian young people under the pretext of organising a trip to the Commonwealth Games.
Those who have paid Katjaimo now want to be refunded, since the trip failed to take off.
Meanwhile, Katjaimo is defending his decision to use an official Khomas Regional Council letterhead, saying the trip was a community project under his office.
“I have various projects, such as a pensioners’ house-painting project, and the Katutura Central marathon event,” he says.
Katjaimo insists he has not benefited from the trip as he paid Satguru, a travel management company across Africa, N$1,8 million.
He says the travel agency has since refunded him with N$860 000 of the total amount paid, and that he is busy reimbursing the group of aspiring travellers.
“We are busy paying people back, but I will never pay those people N$65 000,” Katjaimo says.
The decision to suspend the former sport journalist was taken at the party’s management committee in Windhoek.
Party secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe yesterday in a statement said the councillor has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of a hearing into his conduct.
During the time of his suspension, Katjaimo may not represent the movement publicly or at any other forum. He may also not make public pronouncements on matters related to the movement.
Katjaimo may not engage in the mass mobilisation of PDM structures.
“Pending the outcome of his disciplinary hearing, he is instructed not to carry out his duties and functions in the Khomas Regional Council, which includes a prohibition from accessing the Katutura Central constituency office,” Ngaringombe said.
He said the disciplinary committee will within a reasonable time provide Katjaimo with a charge sheet as directed by the party’s constitution.
Katjaimo did not answer calls or text messages sent to him yesterday, although he requested a text message from The Namibian.
Katjaimo has been accused of swindling various amounts of money from a group of Namibian young people under the pretext of organising a trip to the Commonwealth Games.
Those who have paid Katjaimo now want to be refunded, since the trip failed to take off.
Meanwhile, Katjaimo is defending his decision to use an official Khomas Regional Council letterhead, saying the trip was a community project under his office.
“I have various projects, such as a pensioners’ house-painting project, and the Katutura Central marathon event,” he says.
Katjaimo insists he has not benefited from the trip as he paid Satguru, a travel management company across Africa, N$1,8 million.
He says the travel agency has since refunded him with N$860 000 of the total amount paid, and that he is busy reimbursing the group of aspiring travellers.
“We are busy paying people back, but I will never pay those people N$65 000,” Katjaimo says.
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