TransNamib mum on suspensions
TransNamib has offered no explanation for the sudden suspension of two executive directors, Hippy Tjivikua and Struggle Ihuhua, only reiterating that it was necessary to ensure an unhindered investigation into alleged misconduct by the two.
The board of directors informed staff of the suspension of Tjivikua (executive: strategic and stakeholder management) and Ihuhua (executive: properties) in an internal memorandum on Monday.
It notified staff that until the investigations were finalised no one should share any company information with the two unless authorised in writing by the board.
It further prohibited the two from entering the premises of TransNamib without written permission by the board.
All employees were instructed to strictly comply with these orders.
The secretariat of the TransNamib board yesterday said the positions of the suspended executives would remain vacant until the investigations were completed. It is expected that this process will take no longer than two months.
Neither Tjivikua nor Ihuhua was available for comment.
Rumours yesterday were that Ihuhua's house had gone up in flames and that a company laptop was damaged in the fire. That could not be confirmed but photos of the burnt house did circulate on social media.
In the meantime, the acting or interim CEO, Michael Feldmann, has resigned from his acting position to take up the position of acting executive: commercial and marketing. He was previously the executive: operations.
Feldmann had taken over the helm in late April from Tjivikua, who had been acting in that position since the suspension of the previous CEO, Saara Naanda.
The board announced that the top post at the parastatal would be rotated among the executives every month, pending the appointment of a CEO.
It said the appointment of a CEO was 80% completed and ought to be finalised in the next coming weeks.
“In the meantime the board has to govern the business with the minimum resources available to it to ensure its survival,” the board stated.
It said the company would focus on “rightsizing” to streamline the operations in line with its strategic business plan.
This rightsizing exercise is to be done through voluntary early “exits” and early retirement as the first two options.
“While retrenchment of employees cannot be ruled out, such retrenchment shall be undertaken as a last resort and in compliance with the law. There is thus no truth in the allegation that employees will be retrenched,” the board said.
CATHERINE SASMAN
The board of directors informed staff of the suspension of Tjivikua (executive: strategic and stakeholder management) and Ihuhua (executive: properties) in an internal memorandum on Monday.
It notified staff that until the investigations were finalised no one should share any company information with the two unless authorised in writing by the board.
It further prohibited the two from entering the premises of TransNamib without written permission by the board.
All employees were instructed to strictly comply with these orders.
The secretariat of the TransNamib board yesterday said the positions of the suspended executives would remain vacant until the investigations were completed. It is expected that this process will take no longer than two months.
Neither Tjivikua nor Ihuhua was available for comment.
Rumours yesterday were that Ihuhua's house had gone up in flames and that a company laptop was damaged in the fire. That could not be confirmed but photos of the burnt house did circulate on social media.
In the meantime, the acting or interim CEO, Michael Feldmann, has resigned from his acting position to take up the position of acting executive: commercial and marketing. He was previously the executive: operations.
Feldmann had taken over the helm in late April from Tjivikua, who had been acting in that position since the suspension of the previous CEO, Saara Naanda.
The board announced that the top post at the parastatal would be rotated among the executives every month, pending the appointment of a CEO.
It said the appointment of a CEO was 80% completed and ought to be finalised in the next coming weeks.
“In the meantime the board has to govern the business with the minimum resources available to it to ensure its survival,” the board stated.
It said the company would focus on “rightsizing” to streamline the operations in line with its strategic business plan.
This rightsizing exercise is to be done through voluntary early “exits” and early retirement as the first two options.
“While retrenchment of employees cannot be ruled out, such retrenchment shall be undertaken as a last resort and in compliance with the law. There is thus no truth in the allegation that employees will be retrenched,” the board said.
CATHERINE SASMAN
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