Tjongarero orders Busch to revoke director’s suspension
Minister accused of taking sides
The minister, who has been sitting on the request to ratify the suspension since last year, says only she can authorise the action.
In a strongly-worded letter, youth minister Agnes Tjongarero this week instructed National Youth Council (NYC) executive chairperson Sharonice Busch to reverse the suspension of the organisation’s director, Calista Schwartz-Gowases.
Tjongarero, who has previously been accused of siding with Schwartz-Gowases in the latter’s fight with Busch, said the suspension is null and void and should be revoked with immediate effect. The minister added that the suspension is unlawful because she did not ratify it as line minister.
Schwartz-Gowases was suspended a fortnight ago after a NYC representative council meeting at Ondangwa was called off as a result of infighting among delegates, including a near physical confrontation between her and Vakamuina Kamutuezu, a representative of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM).
The pair quarrelled after Schwartz-Gowases allegedly failed to provide the minutes of the previous meeting.
But prior to the emotive Ondangwa gathering, Schwartz-Gowases and Busch were already entangled in a long-running power struggle, with the former accusing the latter of interference. Busch, on the other hand, has accused Schwartz-Gowases of constantly undermining her authority as the de facto head of the institution.
Governance issues
Namibian Sun understands that the NYC board wrote a letter to Tjongarero late last year, asking her to ratify Schwartz-Gowases’ suspension. Instead, the minister instituted a probe into a raft of governance issues at the organisation. The minister argued that said Schwartz-Gowases cannot be suspended until she is furnished with a report into the probe.
In this week’s letter, Tjongarero reminded Busch of the directive, dated 19 October 2023, for the warring pair not to not take any action against each other until the grievances and governance matters are thoroughly investigated, and the ministry pronounces itself on it. A directive Busch ignored, according to the minister.
“You ignored this directive and bypassed my office and wrote to [finance minister Ipumbu] Shiimi, seeking permission to suspend the director of the council, [to] which he [Shiimi] also responded that you [should] wait for the conclusion of the special investigation committee,” she said.
Tjongarero added that Schwartz-Gowases’ suspension was unprocedural and unlawful as per a ministerial directive on good corporate governance.
“I hereby direct you to recall the suspension and wait for my directive as per the recommendation by the special investigation committee,” she wrote.
Tjongarero further said any decision taken during the suspension will be regarded as null and void and should be revoked with immediate effect.
Act is clear
Yesterday, Tjongarero emphasised that the suspension can only be ratified by her.
“The Act is very clear. This decision was taken without any of my input. Even after I had informed them to wait for the outcome of the investigation. This is not correct,” she said.
Busch confirmed that she received the minister’s letter and that she responded to it on Tuesday. She did not indicate whether the NYC board will comply with Tjongarero’s latest directive.
Schwartz-Gowases was not reachable for comment.
– [email protected]
Tjongarero, who has previously been accused of siding with Schwartz-Gowases in the latter’s fight with Busch, said the suspension is null and void and should be revoked with immediate effect. The minister added that the suspension is unlawful because she did not ratify it as line minister.
Schwartz-Gowases was suspended a fortnight ago after a NYC representative council meeting at Ondangwa was called off as a result of infighting among delegates, including a near physical confrontation between her and Vakamuina Kamutuezu, a representative of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM).
The pair quarrelled after Schwartz-Gowases allegedly failed to provide the minutes of the previous meeting.
But prior to the emotive Ondangwa gathering, Schwartz-Gowases and Busch were already entangled in a long-running power struggle, with the former accusing the latter of interference. Busch, on the other hand, has accused Schwartz-Gowases of constantly undermining her authority as the de facto head of the institution.
Governance issues
Namibian Sun understands that the NYC board wrote a letter to Tjongarero late last year, asking her to ratify Schwartz-Gowases’ suspension. Instead, the minister instituted a probe into a raft of governance issues at the organisation. The minister argued that said Schwartz-Gowases cannot be suspended until she is furnished with a report into the probe.
In this week’s letter, Tjongarero reminded Busch of the directive, dated 19 October 2023, for the warring pair not to not take any action against each other until the grievances and governance matters are thoroughly investigated, and the ministry pronounces itself on it. A directive Busch ignored, according to the minister.
“You ignored this directive and bypassed my office and wrote to [finance minister Ipumbu] Shiimi, seeking permission to suspend the director of the council, [to] which he [Shiimi] also responded that you [should] wait for the conclusion of the special investigation committee,” she said.
Tjongarero added that Schwartz-Gowases’ suspension was unprocedural and unlawful as per a ministerial directive on good corporate governance.
“I hereby direct you to recall the suspension and wait for my directive as per the recommendation by the special investigation committee,” she wrote.
Tjongarero further said any decision taken during the suspension will be regarded as null and void and should be revoked with immediate effect.
Act is clear
Yesterday, Tjongarero emphasised that the suspension can only be ratified by her.
“The Act is very clear. This decision was taken without any of my input. Even after I had informed them to wait for the outcome of the investigation. This is not correct,” she said.
Busch confirmed that she received the minister’s letter and that she responded to it on Tuesday. She did not indicate whether the NYC board will comply with Tjongarero’s latest directive.
Schwartz-Gowases was not reachable for comment.
– [email protected]
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