Only one councillor, Western Muharukua, who is the Chairperson of the Management Committee, turned up for a meeting scheduled with Urban and Rural Development Minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa in Opuwo this afternoon. 

The minister, who later called council leadership to his office, expressed disappointment in the council’s performance and questioned the status of the Chief Regional Officer (CRO).

He also raised alarm over reports that the individual acting as CRO is not receiving a salary but is instead being paid a subsistence and travel (S&T) allowance equivalent to one.

“S&T is meant for employees on duty outside their work station. Using it as a salary is fraud,” said the minister.

Sankwasa called for accountability from those authorising such payments and insisted the ministry verify the outcome of an arbitration case regarding the CRO’s salary.