Unresolved parastatal suspensions ‘unacceptable’ - Jooste

The Minister of Public Enterprises Leon Jooste says he will not get his hands dirty by interfering the ongoing disputes and longstanding suspensions of chief executive officers and managing directors at parastatals. He, however, added that the unresolved suspensions of TransNamib CEO Sara Naanda, Air Namibia MD Theo Namases and Namibia Training Authority (NTA) CEO Maria Nangolo-Rukoro were “rather unacceptable”. Nangolo-Rukoro was suspended in 2013 following allegations of corruption, while Namases was suspended last year to allow investigations into her conduct, amid infighting at the airline. Naanda was received her suspension letter last year after allegations of misconduct were levelled against her. Jooste, who spoke to Namibian Sun in an exclusive interview, said this week his new ministry, which is responsible for State-owned enterprises (SOEs), will mediate to find solutions to these disputes. The full interview can be read on page 4 and 5. “From our side, we are completely neutral. We are new and we will never get our hands dirty and take any side in any of these complicated cases,” said Jooste. “In this type of situation, you have CEOs that have been on suspension for ages, they still earn a salary and then you have an acting CEO. To my mind, that is completely compromising that entity.” He added an acting CEO or MDs decisions are not considered valid, as they are perceived not have the full authority. Jooste indicated he does not have an answer to the infighting at SOEs, as he needs to understand how it happens that CEOs and MDs are suspended so frequently and end up with court cases against the entities. “It is unacceptable it really comprises the functionalities of that entity. I think there has been a breakdown in relationship and that is no secret. When I see a CEO speaking to a chairperson or a board through the media and lawyers, there is obviously no relationship.” He stressed that the position of his ministry will be to find a solution, to open up a relationship and maybe act as a mediator. “To us, the most important thing is all about the facts. Let us look at the facts that are presented to us as a neutral body, dissect them and eventually we will have to take a decision.” Jooste believes that it is important for the ministry to always maintain that approach of dealing with the facts, and getting in-house experts to deal with these facts and then to negotiate. “Sometimes it is a matter of coming together around the table.” He, however said, there needs to be specific guidelines to deal with issues of that nature so that his ministry does not dilute the independence of the SOEs. “When there is cause for them to take action against any person, whether the CEO, MD or any other management cadre we need to give them the opportunity to deal those within the confines of a standardised procedure and process.” He explained getting involved any further will mean political interference. On the appointment and termination of employment contracts of high-ranking officials at SOEs, he said: “We must look at the various tires of influence. I am comfortable for us to play a large role in the appointment of the boards but then the board must have a certain level of independence.” WINDHOEK ELVIS MURARANGANDA