Noose tightens around Engelbrecht Jan Poolman Wednesday, March 19, 2014 - 08:15 THE fight between the Grootfontein Municipality and an employee, Caroline Engelbrecht over her alleged unfair dismissal, is nearing the end with a charge of fraud laid against her. Engelbrecht, who was the personal assistant of the suspended CEO, Charles Kariko, whose services were ended by the Grootfontein Municipal Council on 31 December last year, is fighting for her reinstatement. Engelbrecht who was on-and-off with sick leave, to at times undergo psychological treatment, did not accept her sacking as this also would have meant that she should move out of a municipal house she was renting from the council. However, when new evidence emerged and the fact that she does not have the required qualifications for her position, the council is now adamant to get rid of her at last. Recently, Christophina Namupala-Hamutele, an arbitrator in the Ministry of Labour made a ruling that Engelbrecht be reinstated, but the municipality decided to appeal the outcome in the High Court. In preparation and investigation for the case it came to light that Engelbrecht submitted a Deed of Transfer of a house in Windhoek in her name when she was appointed in January last year. The municipality paid her a monthly housing allowance of more than N$5 400 per month until 31 December which in total amounted to about N$84 860. However, it was determined that the house was sold on a sale of execution in 2007 and registered in the name of another person the next year. This means that she submitted the Deed of Transfer in 2013 for the payment of a housing allowance under false pretences. The municipality laid a charge of fraud against her, said the acting CEO of the Grootfontein municipality, Martin le Roux. In the meantime, Engelbrecht refused to vacate the municipal house for which she had to pay about N$2 700 per month. Her last payment was made for December last year.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:00:01 +0000
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