NYC director addresses ‘misleading’ claims

National Youth Council (NYC) director Calista Schwartz-Gowases has hit back at reports suggesting that she deactivated former executive chairperson Sharonice Busch’s cellphone number despite prior assurance from management that she would be allowed to keep the number.

However, according to Schwartz-Gowases, Busch continued to benefit from NYC-linked Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) services months after resigning from her position in December 2024, and only communicated after she discovered the issue.

Schwartz-Gowases said this in a media statement sent to The Namibian this week.

Schwartz-Gowases said all remaining MTC-linked SIM cards were deactivated on 22 May, with an additional number disconnected on 6 June, following her intervention.

“Regarding the issue of Busch, I wish to state the facts unambiguously. Busch formally resigned from the council in December 2024.

“Nevertheless, it came to my attention that her MTC-linked services continued, notwithstanding the council’s prior written instruction to MTC to terminate these services following her resignation,” she said.

Schwartz-Gowases added that there was neither authorisation nor any legitimate basis for the continuation of these benefits. Busch ceased being an employee and was not entitled to any further use of council resources.

“As a corrective measure, the remaining services were terminated on 22 May, with an additional account under Busch terminated on 6 June. The matter is presently under investigation. Busch is advised to refrain from public commentary on this issue and to await the formal outcome of the council’s internal processes.

“As director, I remain fully committed to the responsible stewardship of public resources and to maintaining the institutional integrity of the NYC,” she said.

This comes after The Namibian reported that Busch is requesting the reactivation of her previously assigned cellphone number stating that it was essential to her professional and personal communication and assuming responsibility for any associated costs.

FORCED LEAVE

Last week, The Namibian reported that the board had resolved to put Schwartz-Gowases on forced leave of absence to allow an independent disciplinary process, in which sources claimed she refused to vacate her office.

However, according to a letter seen by The Namibian, executive chairperson Beverly Silas-!Garas clarified to all NYC workers that Schwartz-Gowases was not put on forced leave.

In her statement, Schwartz-Gowases said the allegations are entirely unfounded and misleading.

“I remain in full service, report for duty daily, and continue to execute my mandate as director of the NYC without any disruption. There exists no official resolution, instruction, or legal justification for any so-called forced leave.

“These fabrications serve no purpose other than to spread politically motivated misinformation. I call on the media and the public to seek verified facts and to reject disinformation,” she said.

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