Mogane accepts NSC payoff

By: SHEFENI NIKODEMUS

SUSPENDED chief administrator Rusten Mogane has accepted a parting package which will hopefully signal the end to his long-running dispute with the Namibia Sport Commission.

Mogane, who was suspended on June 2011 for alleged irregularities with regard to his pension contributions, confirmed yesterday that it was senseless for the matter to drag on any longer.
“It has taken too long. My life must go on,” Mogane told The Namibian Sport. “It doesn’t make sense to keep going on like this. The Sport Commission needs a chief administrator and I need to get on with my life.”
Mogane, who is expected to receive a golden handshake as it appears that the NSC has failed to prove the fraud allegations, said he was not interested in retaining the position.
He has reportedly amassed over half-a-million in earnings from the NSC during the course of his suspension.   
“We are still busy negotiating on the settlement. But I expect this to be concluded very soon,” he said.
“I think after such a long time and with what has happened, it’s better if we part ways. I think I’ll go back to coaching full time.”
According to Sport Commission Chairperson Vivienne Katjiuongua, the investigation into the allegations has been concluded.
Last year the NSC’s Finance and Administration Committee claimed it had discovered substantial irregularities in the running of the Commission’s affairs during Mogane’s tenure to warrant his suspension.
However it still remains unclear whether Mogane has been found guilty of the accusations levelled against him as the NSC has refused to release the findings, which it claims where processed by an independent group of consultants.
“The Commission weighed up the costs implications and resolved that it will be more cost and time efficient to negotiate a settlement with Mr Mogane and in the event that the parties cannot agree, to bring disciplinary proceedings against Mr Mogane and other possible charges,” Katjiuongua said.
“Rest assured that our line ministry is informed on the status of this matter and our deadline is before the end of 2012,” she added.
The Mogane saga has long been believed to be a reflection of personal gripes among the Sport Commission hierarchy.
Upon his suspension, Mogane had intimated an alleged plot by fellow commissioners to oust him from the NSC dating back to his appointment in 2010. 
However yesterday, he said “there is no bad blood between me and the Sport Commission” and that the current dispute was being conducted in “good spirit”.

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