AirNam PRO ‘jumps ship’

AIR Namibia’s public relations officer, Ellison Hijarunguru, has resigned three days after he was suspended in connection with alleged fraud.

The Namibian has it on good authority that the airline’s flamboyant spokesman jumped before being pushed after he was suspended when the company discovered that he was allegedly using air tickets for own gain. It is alleged that Hijarunguru used tickets, which the airline normally exchanges for other services such as free newspapers and free advertisements under barter agreements, for his own and friends’ air trips.Air Namibia’s General Manager for Human Resources, Theo Namases, has confirmed that Hijarunguru resigned on Thursday after having been suspended on Monday.She declined to shed any light on the reasons for Hijarunguru’s suspension, apart from saying it was an internal issue that was still under investigation.It is alleged that Hijarunguru created the impression at Air Namibia that he was allegedly giving the tickets to others in exchange for services while actually using the tickets for his own trips and those of his friends.It was not clear how long this had been happening and what the extent of the alleged financial damage was.Repeated attempts to get hold of Hijarunguru proved in vain.His cellphone remained switched off.It is alleged that Hijarunguru used tickets, which the airline normally exchanges for other services such as free newspapers and free advertisements under barter agreements, for his own and friends’ air trips.Air Namibia’s General Manager for Human Resources, Theo Namases, has confirmed that Hijarunguru resigned on Thursday after having been suspended on Monday. She declined to shed any light on the reasons for Hijarunguru’s suspension, apart from saying it was an internal issue that was still under investigation.It is alleged that Hijarunguru created the impression at Air Namibia that he was allegedly giving the tickets to others in exchange for services while actually using the tickets for his own trips and those of his friends.It was not clear how long this had been happening and what the extent of the alleged financial damage was.Repeated attempts to get hold of Hijarunguru proved in vain.His cellphone remained switched off.