Tjongarero approaches AG over Mwiya contract
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
WINDHOEK
Sports minister Agnes Tjongarero has approached the Attorney-General’s office in her quest to have Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chief administrator Freddy Mwiya’s position advertised, despite the commission’s board recommending that his contract be extended.The board recommended that Mwiya be given a new five-year contract after his performance evaluation by an independent consultancy, Pink Tech, and an HR remuneration committee scored him a B symbol.
Mwiya was first appointed in 2017. The board told the minister his performance was “not questionable at all”.
It is the board’s view that the minister is not empowered by law to make any appointment of the NSC chief administrator outside of what it has recommended.
Tjongarero continues to drag her feet on the board’s recommendation and persists on advertising the coveted post.
“I have consulted with the Attorney-General for advice on the Mwiya saga because I still strongly feel that this position has to be advertised,” she told Namibian Sun when asked why she continued to defy the board’s recommendation.
“It does not matter what the board recommends at this time given that every Namibian should have an opportunity to apply for the position.
“I kept saying that if Mwiya wants to apply, he must do it, but through proper and fair procedures,” Tjongarero said.
Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka would not shed light on the matter yesterday.
“It is very unethical for me to discuss such a matter with you and would therefore advise you to get the answers you want from the line ministry,” Mbandeka noted.
Asked how she would handle the matter if Mwiya came out tops from the interview process, Tjongarero said: “I will reiterate again that I have nothing personal against Mwiya but just want fairness in this whole matter.
“If he goes through the procedures and recommendations come from the interview panel, I will gladly endorse his appointment but as for now, I want everyone to get an opportunity to apply for the position.”
Spilling the beans
The minister has further warned that she will go public with things she has kept secret if the board continues pressuring her.
Tjongarero claims to have damning observations about how things are done at the NSC.
“The board must not push me because I will spill the beans if this continues.
“As the minister of sport, I have the final say and that is why I have consulted the AG to seek clarity on this matter,” she said.
Recommendations
In a lengthy letter dated 19 April 2022, the NSC board asked the minister to renew Mwiya’s contract after conducting an evaluation of his performance.
“In short, during the meeting of 11 April which was dully convened and well constituted, the board once more resolved to stand by the same recommendations that was passed on 26 March to renew the contract of the chief administrator as his performance is not questionable at all and all facts and supportive evidence are in our position for this justifiable decision taken by the board,” the letter reads.
The board cited the Sport Act, whose section 23 (1) states that the minister must appoint a person as chief administrator of the commission on recommendations of the Commission.
WINDHOEK
Sports minister Agnes Tjongarero has approached the Attorney-General’s office in her quest to have Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chief administrator Freddy Mwiya’s position advertised, despite the commission’s board recommending that his contract be extended.The board recommended that Mwiya be given a new five-year contract after his performance evaluation by an independent consultancy, Pink Tech, and an HR remuneration committee scored him a B symbol.
Mwiya was first appointed in 2017. The board told the minister his performance was “not questionable at all”.
It is the board’s view that the minister is not empowered by law to make any appointment of the NSC chief administrator outside of what it has recommended.
Tjongarero continues to drag her feet on the board’s recommendation and persists on advertising the coveted post.
“I have consulted with the Attorney-General for advice on the Mwiya saga because I still strongly feel that this position has to be advertised,” she told Namibian Sun when asked why she continued to defy the board’s recommendation.
“It does not matter what the board recommends at this time given that every Namibian should have an opportunity to apply for the position.
“I kept saying that if Mwiya wants to apply, he must do it, but through proper and fair procedures,” Tjongarero said.
Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka would not shed light on the matter yesterday.
“It is very unethical for me to discuss such a matter with you and would therefore advise you to get the answers you want from the line ministry,” Mbandeka noted.
Asked how she would handle the matter if Mwiya came out tops from the interview process, Tjongarero said: “I will reiterate again that I have nothing personal against Mwiya but just want fairness in this whole matter.
“If he goes through the procedures and recommendations come from the interview panel, I will gladly endorse his appointment but as for now, I want everyone to get an opportunity to apply for the position.”
Spilling the beans
The minister has further warned that she will go public with things she has kept secret if the board continues pressuring her.
Tjongarero claims to have damning observations about how things are done at the NSC.
“The board must not push me because I will spill the beans if this continues.
“As the minister of sport, I have the final say and that is why I have consulted the AG to seek clarity on this matter,” she said.
Recommendations
In a lengthy letter dated 19 April 2022, the NSC board asked the minister to renew Mwiya’s contract after conducting an evaluation of his performance.
“In short, during the meeting of 11 April which was dully convened and well constituted, the board once more resolved to stand by the same recommendations that was passed on 26 March to renew the contract of the chief administrator as his performance is not questionable at all and all facts and supportive evidence are in our position for this justifiable decision taken by the board,” the letter reads.
The board cited the Sport Act, whose section 23 (1) states that the minister must appoint a person as chief administrator of the commission on recommendations of the Commission.
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