ACC exonerates Bipa CEO over relative's recruitment

Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) CEO Vivienne Katjiuongua was cleared by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) after she was accused of pushing for her relative to be employed at the agency.The probe came at a time when Bipa employees wrote several grievance letters to the trade ministry, citing poor working conditions, bullying, nepotism and victimisation.It is alleged that Vivienne oversaw the recruitment of a close relative at Bipa. The relative, business strategy manager Diana Katjiuongua, holds a degree in civil engineering, despite the position requiring a master’s degree in business strategy. Vivienne yesterday confirmed the appointment.The ACC subsequently, acting on a tip-off, probed Vivienne after the allegations of corruption and nepotism were lodged against her. The anti-graft body last week cleared her of the claims levelled against her.The commission probed whether the correct procedures were followed in accordance with the recruitment and selection policy of Bipa. “The CEO Vivienne Katjiuongua provided a comprehensive explanation under oath which is supported by relevant documents. There is nothing proving that any of the persons mentioned in the complaint were recruited with corrupt intent,” ACC director-general Paulus Noa said in a letter dated 9 September 2024.Noa advised the complainant who lodged the case with the ACC to “directly engage the chairperson of the board of Bipa to lodge your dissatisfaction and demand an explanation, if any”.Distant relativeResponding to Namibian Sun queries yesterday, the Bipa honcho confirmed that she is related to Diana.“Diana Katjiuongua is a distant family member - through grandparents - with relevant qualifications and experience,” she said, adding that as an educated professional, Diana should have access to the same opportunities as any other Namibian. “As long as such is done in a transparent manner and within an organisation&#039;s policy guideline,” Vivienne added.“Bipa&#039;s recruitment and selection policy (2020) defines ‘direct relatives’ for nepotism restrictions, and [Diana] does not fall under this category.”“Although [Diana]’s educational background is in the area of civil engineering, her experience has largely been in the area of business development and specifically in project management,” she further clarified.Strained working relationshipVivienne 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.Nevonga, in a letter dated 22 July, 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 workers&#039; concerns, 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 allegedly 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.ChangesVivienne last week said Bipa has undertaken an organisational structure review to ensure that its 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.Regarding employee complaints that only certain people are chosen to go on official trips, she said: “Bipa is in the process of developing a travelling criterion to eliminate dissatisfaction arising from the selection of staff members for travelling”.

ACC exonerates Bipa CEO over relative's recruitment

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-15

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ACC exonerates Bipa CEO over relative's recruitment

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-15

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