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Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - Web posted at 8:47:54 GMT SSC board faces key test over Nujoma's meddling TANGENI AMUPADHITHE board of the Social Security Commission faces a dilemma at its meeting tomorrow - whether to bow to political pressure or do what is in the best interest of the company. |
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The test of the board's independence follows President Sam Nujoma's rejection of its newly appointed Chief Executive Officer. President Nujoma personally intervened two weeks ago, ordering the Chairman of the SSC board of directors, Frans Kapofi, and Labour Minister Marco Hausiku to stop the appointment of Koot van der Merwe as the new head of the troubled institution. His lack of political ties to Swapo reportedly led to Nujoma's interference in a process in which the President has no legal role. Van der Merwe is an Afrikaner. A State House aide last week denied Nujoma had interfered in the appointment of a CEO or other administration matters. The Namibian last week disclosed that Nujoma had made his objections to Van der Merwe known. Sources at State House said Nujoma summoned Kapofi telling him "in no uncertain terms" that Van der Merwe's "appointment will not happen". The President, the sources said, angrily told Kapofi that even if damages had to be paid, Van der Merwe must not be appointed. The law states that the board appoints the CEO in consultation with the Minister. No mention is made of the President. A Government official said yesterday: "If the board can't execute their chief function, how will they make policies free of political interference?" Hausiku, the Minister of Labour, said last week the matter was still to be finalised, hinting that there was a problem. His Deputy Rosalia Nghidinwa said yesterday the matter was still to be discussed. Yesterday Van der Merwe confirmed that his contract at NamPort as General Manager of Finance, in Walvis Bay, has now been extended. No reasons were provided, but he had also been told that the job offer from the SSC has fallen through. The Namibian understands the Ministry of Labour had been consulted already and that is why the board had felt comfortable to appoint someone with no known allegiance to Swapo. Lawyer Petrus Damaseb, a SSC board member who was on the committee that shortlisted candidates for the CEO, declined to comment yesterday. Damaseb said he expected the issue to be discussed at the board meeting on Wednesday. It is not clear whether all the board members, representing trade unions, private companies and the Government will accept the rejection. The board unanimously appointed Van der Merwe. Van der Merwe and his family were to relocate to Windhoek next month and he would have started work at the SSC in November. He resigned from NamPort in July after he was offered the SSC job. Van der Merwe bought a house in Pioneers Park, Windhoek, worth more than N$500 000, as part of his planned move to Windhoek. He said he was now trying to sell the Windhoek house after his relocation was scuppered. His wife, Ansie van der Merwe, is still dejected after selling her business at the coast in anticipation of the move to Windhoek. She offered unique music therapy programmes at the harbour town, aimed at body and brain stimulation for children. The business was sold about a week ago. "I'm very very sad," she said, adding that she was more disappointed for her husband because "he is serious about his work. He works hard". She added: "Obviously, I'll have to start all over again. It's quite a shock to everybody. Still we have to be positive and serve the country and go forward". Her husband, a chartered accountant by profession, said: "What I'm thankful for is that I [still] have a job". SSC sources said trade unions had lobbied against the appointment of a white Namibian. A trade union leader said yesterday affirmative action was the pretext. However, Swapo loyalists had also added their weight to the jobs-for-comrades campaign. Top ruling party figures have said that only Swapo supporters should receive top State jobs. Van der Merwe said he was disappointed. "I really don't know what happened. I feel as a Namibian and [as someone] suitably qualified there should have been no problem. "I know I could have made a difference there. I planned to put systems in place to control our people's money". The SSC has been rocked by corruption, mismanagement and poor working relations. An official at the SSC yesterday said, "the morale is very, very low from management to the cleaner. There is no enthusiasm in the work they do". Many decisions aimed at propelling the company forward have reportedly been kept on hold in anticipation of a new CEO being appointed. |
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