WALVIS BAY – Erongo Marine Enterprises (EME) and managing director (MD) Martha Uumati have parted ways on mutual grounds. The separation is effective from today.
Uumati was appointed in 2017.
She yesterday confirmed to New Era they mutually agreed to part ways on Friday.
A disciplinary hearing, scheduled for last week, did not take place, as the parties opted to negotiate a separation package.
Oceana Group Limited (OGL)’s former general manager Calie Jacobs will continue filling the void left by Uumati.
He served as general manager at EME in a career spanning 18 years at the fishing company.
The relationship between Uumati and Oceana started deteriorating when she was suspended by group CEO Neville Brink and Inna Botha, the MD of Blue Continent Product, on 13 February.
Uumati directly reported to the duo. The suspension emanated from her absence at a meeting in Cape Town that was scheduled to concoct a plan for a hearing with the Namibia Competition Commission.
In an e-mail sent to the Namibian shareholders, Botha said, “I would like to inform you that Oceana has agreed terms with Uumati. She resigned as EME MD, and the company will no longer be pursuing disciplinary action. Carel Jacobs continues in her position as caretaking manager to ensure business activities continue as normal”.
This version has been disputed by Uumati’s legal representative Richard Metcalfe, who maintained his client did not resign.
“There was a mutual agreement to part ways. The details may not be disclosed due to confidentiality clauses in the agreement to amicably part ways. Let them present the resignation letter, as there is none,” Metcalfe said yesterday.
Uumati also insisted she did not resign as implied by Botha.
“I did not resign; however, I cannot discuss the contents of the separation,” Uumati told New Era.
Uumati last month opened up about the skewed contribution and development that has put holders of Namibian fishing rights at the receiving end, following the partnership with the company.
EME is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blue Continent Product, a subsidiary of Oceana Group.
During the earlier interview, following Uumati’s suspension, Namibian right holders, whose quotas are being managed by EME, demanded answers from Oceana after the company deviated from the original agreement.
Uumati, who broke her silence during that interview, said the Namibian rights holders technically contributed more than 80% of the net operating profit to the South African company.
She said she decided to speak out, as she could no longer sit on the fence while investments continued flowing into South Africa at the expense of Namibians.
“So, as a Namibian, put yourself in my shoes. It’s a Namibian resource. Are you going to be okay with constantly seeing investments being done on the other side? But then, where are the opportunities for Namibians?
“So, it is just not ethical, and I was ethically challenged. My principles were challenged; I was just not comfortable with it, and I have always made it clear that I am not just a black face nor am I a puppet. I believe that when this country ensured that I got educated, it was for me to apply my mind and do right,” Uumati said at the time, mincing no words.