Contempt of Court proceedings have commenced against two State Ministers over the position of Managing Director for National Housing Corporation.
Ditha Nayabbanung, who had been acting Managing Director for NHC since February this year, commenced proceedings against Housing & Urbanization Minister, John Kaupa; Public Service Minister, Elias Kapavore over the appointment of Kenneth Cooke as Acting Managing Director.
Ditha Nayabbanung, spoke to the Media today (November 16) regarding the position of the Managing Director of NHC, a position which he claimed had been heavily politicised in recent times.
He had been acting Managing Director since February this year by the NEC.
On the October 16th, he was served a suspension notice by Housing & Urbanisation Minister, John Kaupa at a time at which he claims his term was still current.
He subsequently challenged this decision by filing a judicial review of this decision – and successfully obtained a court order on October 26th to stay the decision to suspend him.
Mr Ditha claims that on the 2nd of November, the appointment of Kenneth Cooke was gazetted, and his appointment revoked – which he says is in breach of the court order of October 26th.
In light of this, Mr Nayabbanung has instituted Contempt of Court Proceedings against Mr Cooke, Minister Kaupa, Minister Kapavore, as well as Department of Personnel Management Secretary, John Kali over the decision to make an appointment whilst his matter is still before the Courts.
The tussle over the Managing Director position of National Housing Corporation looks far from over, with Minister Kaupa’s Spokesperson also standing by the Minister’s decision to suspend Mr Nayabbanung, and the appointment of Mr Cooke.
