WALVIS BAY – The appointment of David Uushona as the new acting CEO of Walvis Bay is invalid.
This is according to former councillor Romeo Goseb, who shared his sentiments on the much-criticised appointment.
Uushona was appointed by the management committee (MC) last Thursday to take over the reins from John Esterhuizen, who had been acting in the position. Esterhuizen is a key figure in the ongoing investigations concerning the debt-collecting contract awarded to RedForce last year.
Uushona is currently employed as the manager of solid waste and environment management, while Esterhuizen is the general manager of the same department.
Members of the MC Richard Hoaeb, Olivia Andrews, and Ronald Bramwell decided to replace Esterhuizen with Uushona during last Thursday’s MC meeting.
No powers
Goseb, who served on the council for 10 years, yesterday said the MC simply does not have the power to appoint.
“They only have recommendation powers, and can only recommend, seeking full council approval to appoint Uushona. Unless things have changed overnight,” he said.
Goseb added that it’s unheard of to find a lower band employee acting while there are senior managers available to act.
“Only in Walvis Bay would one see that a general manager on an E band reports to a manager on a D-band,” Goseb said.
Urgent meeting
Employees, backed by their union the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu), in a strong-worded letter demanded that Ushona’s appointment be revoked.
“We hereby express our profound concern regarding a decision by the Walvis Bay council. It has been brought to our attention that the council has appointed a manager to serve as the acting CEO, thereby circumventing the current heads of departments, who are supervised by a general manager,” reads a letter written to management committee chairperson Hoaeb.
Napwu strongly advised the council to reconsider and revoke the appointment, suggesting that one of its department heads be appointed as the acting CEO instead.
“This approach will ensure a smoother transition, and maintain the integrity and functionality of the council’s operations,” states the letter.
Napwu coordinator for the western region Richard Kayimbi yesterday told New Era that this appointment should not have happened.
“I’s unheard of. We are meeting today at 15h00 with the council to deliberate on this issue, and find a solution that serves the best interests of the municipality and its employees,” Kayimbi said yesterday.
Opposing appointment
Four councillors, Ryan Gordon (LPM), Albertina Nkoshi, Ephraim Shozi and Paulus Kauhondamwa indicated that they are opposed to the appointment, as Uushona also must explain how RedForce was appointed in the first place.
“Why are they appointing a new acting CEO suddenly?” Kauhondamwa questioned. He said appointing a new acting CEO seems a way for some councillors to avoid or boycott Metcalfe’s findings.
“Our new CEO is expected to start on 1 August 2024. Hence, it makes no sense to appoint someone to act for the next six weeks. Esterhuizen must remain in the position, and continue with the ongoing investigations,” Kauhondamwa said.
He also questioned why he was not invited to the meeting as an alternate MC member. Meanwhile, the council chairperson told New Era yesterday that they will soon call a press conference to address the matter. -edeklerk@nepc.com.na