The City of Windhoek is likely to have a new chief executive officer before the end of this year. Windhoek Mayor Muesee Kazapua told Nampa that the recruitment process would be finalised this year. Kazapua said the council management committee would soon give their recommendations to Urban and Rural Development Minister Sophia Shaningwa, for final approval. The City of Windhoek has been without a CEO since Niilo Taapopi's term in office ended on 16 December 2014. Kazapua explained that no suitable candidate was found for the crucial position in three previous interview sessions held since then. He said during the fourth round of interviews in July this year, the top three candidates were NamDeb General Manager Riaan Burger; Erongo Regional Electricity Distributor Chief Executive Robert Kahimise and former Social Security Commission Chief Executive Officer, Kenandai Tjivikua. The fourth candidate was Sanlam Namibia CEO Tega Shiimi ya Shiimi. It was reported recently that the interview panel recommended Burger for the position. However, some of the Municipality's management team and Council management members were said to be against the panel recommendations to appoint Burger as CEO. The Council appointed Strategic Executive for Human Resources, Fillemon Hambuda as acting CEO in September last year.