AN allegedly dubious appointment at TransNamib where a board member was part of a panel that appointed his brother to an executive position will probably be investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Noël Mouton, outgoing manager: business administration at Rössing Uranium, was recently appointed as general manager: finance at TransNamib.His brother, Jeremy Mouton, who is a TransNamib board member, was part of the selection committee that appointed him.TransNamib’s spokesperson Ailly Hangula-Paulino has confirmed that Jeremy Mouton was part of the team that appointed Noël Mouton, but said there was nothing dodgy about the process.’TransNamib would like to confirm that Mr Noël Mouton was the successful candidate as per panel decision and was offered employment as GM: Finance,’ Hangula-Paulino said:According to her, the selection panel consisted of six members including a consultant. ‘The panel agreed for Mr [Jeremy] Mouton to be on the panel, as in the case of other interviewed candidates, after declaring his interest.’Hangula-Paulino maintained that ‘the outcome was a joint decision by the panel’ which resulted in Noël Mouton’s appointment. ‘After completion of all interviews, the panel looked at all competencies and agreed to appoint the best candidate.’Upon inquiry, the director of the ACC, Paulus Noa, said the anti-graft watchdog will look into the matter. He said ‘an unhealthy’ situation arises if relatives of candidates do not recuse themselves from selection panels during interviews. ‘It is something that raises questions and should be discouraged. One needs to recuse yourself.’Noa said he was surprised that TransNamib would have allowed it. ‘It creates some controversy, especially if the relative is appointed.’
