Suspended CRO awaits charge sheet
KEETMANSHOOP – Suspended //Kharas chief regional officer Beatus Kasete said although he has been issued with a suspension letter, he will only be able to determine the way forward once he receives an official charge sheet.
“I am now waiting for the charge sheet, which the letter stated I will receive 30 days after being issued with the letter of suspension, whereupon I may consider seeking legal advice accordingly and, furthermore, depending on the contents of the charges that will be levelled against me,’’ Kasete told New Era following his suspension during a special council meeting on 25 June.
Kasete also said he will now provide council with reasons why he should be remunerated whilst on suspension as accorded the opportunity in the letter received.
“I will, however, abide by council’s decision relieving me from my official duties as administrative head,’’ he added.
In the said letter seen by this publication, //Kharas regional council chairperson Joseph Isaacks informed the CRO of his suspension, which is coupled with certain conditions.
“Suspension will be without any remuneration on condition that you provide the council within seven days after receiving this letter with reason(s) why the council should continue to remunerate you while you are on suspension,’’ the letter reads.
It continued that, if being remunerated during suspension, it would be required from Kasete to notify the chairperson if travelling beyond the boundaries of Keetmanshoop district during the time of his suspension.
“The suspension is pending an investigation and subsequent disciplinary hearing/enquiry within one 120 days,’’ the letter furthermore stated.
It also stipulates that the charge sheet and probable ensuing disciplinary hearing will be communicated in writing to the CRO after a period of 30 days of receiving the said letter.
It concluded that Kasete will now be afforded ample time to prepare his defence whilst he will be informed of the time, date and venue of his disciplinary hearing once investigations in the matter have been finalised.