Following the expulsion of Hardap education director Gerhard Ndafenongo from the regional council’s office, the education ministry’s executive director Sanet Steenkamp has intervened and told him to maintain his position.

The fracas started on 11 January 2022 when the Hardap Regional Council wrote a letter to Steenkamp with reference to the expulsion of Ndafenongo from its offices.

The letter, seen by New Era, was signed by the regional council’s chairperson, who is also Rehoboth Rural constituency councillor, Gershon Dausab.

On 11 January, Dausab indicated that the council resolved at a special council meeting held on 13 December 2021 at Mariental that Ndafenongo should report directly to Steenkamp at the head office in Windhoek.

He also directed that Ndafenongo vacate his office within 24 hours from the Hardap regional office in Mariental, with the replacement of another alternative executive.

“You are further requested to submit a detailed report and deliver your office key to Mr Julian Engelbrecht, acting regional officer, Hardap Regional Council,” Dausab stated. 

Yesterday, Dausab did not respond to text messages sent to him nor answered any calls when his comment was sought. Steenkamp, on her part, refused to comment, saying her communication to Ndafenongo is an internal issue.

“Let the chairperson tell you the reasons for expelling the director from the regional council office,” she responded. 

Meanwhile, Ndafenongo attributed the whole fracas to tribalism at the regional council.

“I am still in office. I am currently in Omusati conducting a workshop. I am aware of the issue. It’s tribalism, which we condemn with the contempt it deserves. It’s really sad that after 30 years of independence, we still have people promoting tribalism. There is nothing. No reason was given to me why I should vacate the office,” he reacted.

On 17 January, Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys, acting on behalf of Ndafenongo, wrote to Dausab that the transfer of their client from his current duty station can only be sanctioned by the executive director of the line ministry. 

“On 14 January 2022 at 17h11, our client received a letter dated 11 January 2022 under your signature in which you instructed him to evacuate his office within 24 hours and report to the executive director of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture in Windhoek,” the lawyers stated. 

The lawyers argued that since the transfer of Ndafenongo can only be sanctioned by the executive director in terms of Section 23 of the Act, Dausab’s action was unlawful, and as such he had no authority to order the removal of their client from his office.

“Any cases of serious grievances in respect of our client should be communicated to the line ministry (Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture) and be dealt with in accordance with the provisions and procedures laid down in the public service staff regulations which deal with grievances and representations,” Metcalfe Beukes added. 

The attorneys demanded that Dausab withdraws his expulsion letter with immediate effect. Failure to heed to this demand will result in the law firm bringing an urgent application in the High Court of Namibia to vindicate their client’s rights, against the chairperson and the regional council without further notice, whose costs shall be borne by his office.

Ndafenongo was appointed as a director of education in the Hardap region with his duty station being Mariental, with effect from 1 April 2020.