Bipa won’t renew CEO’s contract

The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) has decided not to renew the contract of its CEO Vivienne Katjiuongua when it expires later this month.Namibian Sun has it on good authority that the company’s board met on Thursday evening to decide Katjiuongua’s fate. The reasons that prompted the board to opt to part ways with the CEO are still not known, but company insiders allege that the strained relationship between employees and Katjiuongua could be a contributing factor.Bipa’s board chairperson Tino Hanabeb proffered a diplomatic response yesterday when approached for comment on Katjiuounga’s future at the company. “This is an internal matter and a pronouncement will be made in due time,” he said.Katjiuongua was on a N$1.29 million annual salary, which translates into about N$107 000 a month. Her employment contract states that she is entitled to a variable performance incentive bonus of up to 30% of her annual remuneration package. It also states that Bipa must pay her 10% of her total remuneration package if she sees out five years at the company.Turbulent relationshipKatjiuounga continues to have a turbulent relationship with her subordinates, who claim Bipa is dogged by poor working conditions, bullying, nepotism and victimisation.Responding to queries regarding the matter yesterday, Katjiuongua said she is not aware of any decision taken by the Bipa board related to her contract renewal. “I would believe that if any decision was taken, the board would have deemed it procedural and important to inform me about any such decision first. I can, however, confirm that my contract expires on 15 October. I can further confirm that I had various engagements with the board - the latest having been on Thursday, 3 October - where the board noted that they will inform me of their decision on my reappointment within 24 to 48 hours, citing that they were engaging the line minister,” she said. She added: “I remain committed to continuing my work at Bipa and I am confident in my ability to contribute to the authority’s ongoing success, especially during this period where Bipa remains a critical player in ensuring Namibia is removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s [FATF] increased monitoring [also known as its grey list]. I look forward to a positive outcome from the ongoing discussions with the board”.Katjiuounga was recently cleared by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) after she was accused of pushing for her relative to be employed at the agency. She allegedly oversaw the recruitment of business strategy manager Diana Katjiuongua, who holds a degree in civil engineering - despite the position requiring a master’s degree in business strategy. The ACC, acting on a tip-off, probed the CEO after allegations of corruption and nepotism were lodged against her. The anti-graft body cleared her of the claims levelled against her.The commission probed whether the correct procedures were followed in accordance with Bipa’s recruitment and selection policies. Staff ‘overworked, underpaid’Katjiuongua has not only been a person of interest on the ACC’s radar. The Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) general secretary Peter Nevonga also approached her seeking answers on claims made by employees over their working conditions.In a letter dated 22 July, Nevonga said he is concerned about the strained working relationship between Bipa [management] and staff, with the letter alleging that victimisation, acute staff shortages and poor communication are the order of the day.Namibian Sun understands the union had to intervene to address the concerns of workers, who feel they are overworked and underpaid. Extra work has allegedly been added to their job descriptions without prior consultation and with no changes to their earnings. Those who speak up are reportedly subjected to victimisation and intimidation.“It is alleged that for certain reasons only known by management, which our members do not appreciate, [employees] are made to do work which is not part of their job description. Those who speak of any activity regarded as uncomfortable by management are perceived to be troublemakers,” Nevonga wrote in the letter.Katjiuongua at the time said Bipa has undertaken an organisational structure review to ensure that staff are not overworked. “The reviewed structure will ensure that the right resources, roles and processes are in place to execute the strategy effectively. This will address challenges of overworked staff,” she said.The CEO added that Bipa will develop a whistleblower protection policy to protect employees who wish to report issues related to bullying, intimidation, favouritism and victimisation.

Bipa won’t renew CEO’s contract

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-28

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Bipa won’t renew CEO’s contract

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-28

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