The Chairperson of the ||Kharas Regional Council, Josef Isaack, and regional councillors distanced themselves from allegations by Affirmative Repositioning Movement Leader Job Amupanda that N$3 million was misappropriated during the construction of the ||Kharas Regional Office Park at Keetmanshoop.

The ||Kharas Regional Office Park was constructed by August 26 Construction at a cost of N$134 million.

Associate Professor Amupanda alleged that August 26 Construction subcontracted Ultimate Traders CC to supply furniture for the office building, valued at three million dollars.

Speaking to nbc News at Lüderitz, the Chairperson of the ||Kharas Regional Council, Josef Isaack, said the National Procurement Act prevents regional councillors from being part of the procurement processes.

“I want to make it very clear that the Kharas Regional Council is not in a corruption deal with any company, including August 26. We know, by virtue of the Act as it is governed, that the Act only allows staff members to be part of the procurement committee and the management of the procurement system. Therefore, let me bring this to the public, to our people and our citizens: the ||Kharas Regional Councillors and the council are not in any way aware of what is being said.”

Isaack further stated that the regional council, as a collective, denounces corruption and that his office will allow investigations to continue without any hindrance.

“We will enquire from all the staff members, if they are implicated or not, who are in the line of their duties to produce documentation for our own perusal. On account of that, the council will take very serious action against whoever is implicated.”

Isaack says the regional council will meet soon to address some of the concerns raised by Amupanda.