Former Grootfontein executive feels vindicated
The former finance and information technology executive at Grootfontein Municipality, Ileni Hainghumbi, says he is at peace, as the truth has surfaced after having suffered injustices from forces who wanted him out of the council.
His relief is based on the ministerial audit report that investigated numerous institutional irregularities from
2015 to 2019, which found that Hainghumbi was unfairly and unprocedurally suspended in 2019.
It also stated that his suspension was carried out without ministerial approval or a council resolution. The report, therefore, recommended that he be reinstated and that the institution follows normal procedures and lays new charges if any.
Hainghumbi resigned in October 2020 after serving the institution for 12 years.
His last three years prior to his exit were rough and bumpy, as they were mired with disputes and suspensions.
“I still maintain my innocence; I said it before that I have been unfairly victimised by those who were advancing their own interests, as I was seen as an obstacle to their dealings. For now, may the bitter truth sink into their heads. The ministry carried out the investigation and found nothing untoward me, while those who were pushing for my suspensions came out to be the wrongdoers,” said Hainghumbi in a telephonic interview.
“All the issues of financial mismanagement pushed against me were just a diversion from the real issues. As you can see now, the investigation started as a result of my irregular suspensions; however, the net spread wider and many other irregularities were unearthed. The ministry found nothing at all. Therefore, there is no way new charges can be formulated when nothing is available for prosecution,” he reiterated.
In January 2019, he was suspended on allegations of misconduct and insubordination but was reinstated in April that year. He was suspended for insubordination related to effecting payments of over N$500 000 without approval.
Other charges were that Hainghumbi in 2018 refused to heed the instruction of the then acting CEO not to advance payments to Rio Engineering and Construction cc, amounting to N$175 000.
The municipality in the charge sheets then argued that Hainghumbi did so while aware that Rio Engineering was facing penalty deduction, amounting to N$69 000, for work that was not done.
“I will not ask for an apology; the reality and truth will deal with them. I have made peace with whatever happened, and also I have moved on. So, I don’t have anything against [them] because I am no longer part of the institution. My prayers are being answered; as I got exonerated and my enemies start facing the music,” he concluded.