WINDHOEK – Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) CEO Augustinus Katiti, who got his marching orders on Friday, said he was surprised by the decision to fire him while a disciplinary process against him was still ongoing.

In a dismissal letter, the NIP board said it was getting rid of Katiti for alleged unscrupulous conduct in persistently seeking political intervention to get reinstated after he was placed on suspension in June, defending himself in the media instead of the ongoing hearing and causing unreasonable delays in the hearing.

But speaking to New Era yesterday, Katiti said: “I am sure you have a copy of the termination letter. As an employee yourself have a look at that and see whether those are the correct measures taken to terminate a contract of an employee while there is a pending disciplinary hearing.”

NIP board chairperson Dr Diina Shuuluka on Friday terminated Katiti’s employment contract, saying the decision was taken during an extraordinary board meeting that took place on Thursday.

“Your conduct as aforestated is in sense and effect calculated to thwart the lawfully and properly taken and constituted disciplinary action and hearing against you, thereby frustrating and compromising the continuation of your disciplinary hearing,” reads Shuuluka’s dismissal letter to Katiti.

The NIP board in June suspended Katiti.  Three senior executive officers were also later suspended. The three are chief operations officer Herold Kaura, chief financial officer Cleophas Mbahijova and chief strategy and business development officer Jennifer Kauapirura.

By yesterday the status of the three was unknown as Shuuluka’s phone after several attempts went unanswered. She did not respond to WhatsApp and SMS messages sent to her.