CPBN gets slap on the wrist

OGONE TLHAGE WINDOEKThe Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) does not have to reverse its controversial recruitments conducted in May, but Ombudsman John Walters has recommended that its board of directors demand answers from managers who allowed the fraudulent process to go ahead.CPBN board chairperson Patrick Swartz elected not to comment when asked yesterday how the company will deal with the recommendation to act against those who oversaw the botched recruitment process.Walters, when asked why he did not recommend that the process be reversed, said he did not find it necessary to punish those recruited, as they were not responsible to recruiting themselves.The ombudsman said if his recommendations are ignored, he will have no option but to approach the National Assembly to compel the board to take corrective action.The CPBN’s recruitment of 14 persons drew much public furore because of perceived ethnic bias, leading to complaints from the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo). The new group of appointees also included just one man out of 14. ‘Grossly negligent’In a damning report released by the ombudsman, it was found that employees of the board were grossly negligent by shortlisting applicants who did not meet the advertised requirements, or by appointing applicants who did not obtain the 65% interview pass rate.The report had instructed the board to take necessary disciplinary action against those responsible for the mistakes.The board was also instructed to inform the ombudsman of outcomes.The Office of the Ombudsman had found that six for 14 of the positions filled did not meet entry requirements or that they failed during the interview processes to assess suitability. No matter what“I told them my recommendations must be implemented. If they fail, I have to take the last resort,” Walters said.Asked whether the CPBN had been given a definitive timeline in which to make the necessary changes, he said they had been afforded enough time to rectify mistakes made in its recruitment process.“No timelines have been issued. I have given them enough time; I will follow up in due course to establish what has been done.Walters added that he would ensure that the recommendations are implemented before he leaves office next year.He further admitted that the Office of the Ombudsman did not hold any powers to enforce its recommendations.“I have initiated a new Bill which is five years in the making. It is currently with the justice minister [Yvonne Dausab]. I trust we will have it in the National Assembly by next year,” Walters said. Complaint escalationFollowing the contentious appointments, an online petition was lodged challenging the recruitment process, while Nudo officially launched an appeal with the Office of the Ombudsman to question the appointments.During queries made to establish how it reached its conclusions, the board defended itself.Nudo further challenged the Anti-Corruption Commission to institute criminal proceedings against the management of the CPBN following the damning ombudsman report, which found some recent recruitments at the tender body as “irregular, unfair and prejudicial”.

CPBN gets slap on the wrist

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-25

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CPBN gets slap on the wrist

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-25

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