The Public Service Commission has referred back the ||Kharas Regional Council's appointment recommendation of a chief regional officer.

The position has been vacant since the suspension of its chief regional officer, Beatus Kasete, in 2021, whose five-year employment expired in 2024 while he was under suspension. 

In a letter dated 19 June, the Public Service Commission Chairperson, Patrick Nandago, informed the council that it would not make a pronouncement on the appointment recommendation. 

The Commission cited that the recommendation of appointment was rejected by the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa.

Sankwasa said the commission proposed that the position be re-advertised as "the candidate is a non-performer based on the observation while serving in the Gobabis municipality". 

The commission explained that the regional council shall appoint, in consultation with the minister, a person as the chief regional officer in terms of the Regional Councils Act and that the minister, in this case, disagreed with the council's proposal. 

The PSC further stated that it would only attend to the council's appointment proposal once a consensus is found in accordance with the Regional Councils Act. 

"In consultation with the minister, we had also decided to have a special meeting on the 29th of June at 2 o'clock at the ||Kharas Regional Council chambers, whereby we will immediately go for the re-advertisement of the position. And come with structured dates for the HR, and we want them to concur with those dates so that we can finalise the appointment of the CRO."

Witbooi acknowledged that the absence of a substantial CRO has negatively impacted the council's operations.