Controversial Ohangwena-based teacher Abed-Nego ‘Bishop’ Hishoono has been served with a final written warning by the education ministry over remarks made on social media, including the accusation that government was failing to address school needs.
Hishoono, who is also a well-known Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) mobiliser in Ohangwena, serves as a teacher at Elao Primary School in the same region.
He was recently found guilty of violating the public service code of conduct when he took on to social media to attack government for having allegedly failed to provide enough stationery.
According to the charge sheet, Hishoono failed to use appropriate channels to air grievances or direct representation. He was further guilty of failing to behave at all times in a manner that maintains and enhances the reputation of the public service.
“You further contravened regulation 65 (2) A (m) of the Amendment of Regulations made under the Education Act 2001, which asserts that a teacher in relation to learners may not abuse his or her position for political gain,” education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp stated in the written warning.
According to Steenkamp, the audio shared by Hishoono on WhatsApp and Facebook, denotes government’s failure and in a way instigated parents against government regarding the alleged non-delivery of textbooks and stationery. “In the audios, you insinuated that the shortage of textbooks and stationery at schools in this directorate in particular is due to the fact that government does not care. While it could be true that some schools have asked parents to buy school stationery for their children, you failed to recognise that you are not the spokesperson of the directorate and nobody gave you authorisation to express yourself on the matter the way you did.” The final written warning issued to Hishoono is valid for 12 months. In the same vein, Ohangwena education director Isak Hamatwi sent a strong warning to staff and would-be offenders that similar stringent measures would be taken against them. “This is the first case of its kind and it has set precedence to the others who would want to engage in similar activities. So, we have recreated and acted accordingly. It would have been a different issue to ask if we have not acted. This was based on investigations that were conducted and confirmed the misconduct,” said Hamatwi. Hishoono is no stranger to controversy. Last month, he had to publicly apologise to First Lady Monica Geingos who had threatened to sue him for defamation of character. This was after Hishoono accused Geingos of having shares in a local company Westair Aviation Limited and that she influenced the decision to liquidate Air Namibia. He also claimed that one of the First Lady’s children was the son of one of the Fishrot accused. Hishoono later apologised after he was threatened through lawyers that he will be sued for the remarks he made in the video.
osimasiku@nepc.com.na