A heated dispute has emerged between sport minister Agnes Tjongarero and executive director Erastus Haitengela over control of the National Youth Council’s administration.
Haitengela on Wednesday issued a directive placing the administration of the National Youth Council (NYC) under his direct administration, contrary to Tjongarero’s directive to place the NYC under the interim board she appointed in December.
Tjongarero on Wednesday wrote Haitengela a letter of reprimand.
She asked on what legal basis the council was placed under Haitengela’s unilateral administration without her approval.
“ . . . especially when an interim board has been legally appointed to run the day-to-day affairs of the council?” Tjongarero asked.
“Consequently, the letter to the managers placing the council under your administration is not recognised and is hereby treated as null and void. The administration of the council is and will remain under the leadership of the interim board as required by law, until such time that the courts have concluded the matter,” she said.
The new NYC board comprises Curtis Andrew, Beverly Silas (interim chairperson), Hendrik Theofius, Vistoria Itta, and Ngoshi Panduleni.
Tjongarero also asked why the interim board was excluded from key meetings and communications with the council’s managers.
“Please note that any communication or action that disregards the authority of the interim board will be deemed hostile and in violation of the provisions of the Public Enterprises Governance Act,” she said.
Haitengela has also instructed NYC staff members to commence a restructuring process overseen by his office.
However, Tjongarero asked why funds were made available for restructuring after her explicit instruction against this. She said the previous board was explicitly instructed to halt restructuring due to irregularities and that this contributed to the previous board’s removal due to non-compliance, and the matter is now before the courts.
“Any attempt to continue the restructuring process while the matter is sub judice is not only contemptuous of the court, but also undermines the integrity of the interim board and the council’s governance,” she said.
Meanwhile, Haitengela yesterday said he would address the matter when he is back in office.
“It is unfortunate that this matter has reached this level,” he said.
Haitengela wrote to the NYC staff on Monday, telling them any decision with potential long-term financial implications must be made in consultation with his office to ensure alignment with the approved budget and to minimise any unplanned financial risk.
“No changes to human resources, including new recruitments, may be undertaken unless they have been explicitly budgeted. Any action leading to unbudgeted financial obligations will not be authorised,” he said.
He also prohibited the NYC from entering into new contracts exceeding N$10 000.
“Any payment exceeding N$10 000, beyond the routine monthly payments and those related to the ongoing restructuring process, must receive prior approval by the accounting officer of the ministry.
“Please be reminded that the current allocation of additional funds is specifically designated for the restructuring process,” he said. Interim NYC board chairperson Beverly Silas yesterday said she aligns with Tjongarero’s stance that the affairs of the NYC must be managed by the board.
“I align myself with the position expressed by the minister. The interim board of the NYC was appointed under Section 10 of the act and is mandated to carry out its responsibilities in accordance with the NYC Act and other applicable legislation.
“Matters related to the administration of the NYC are internal and not intended for public discourse,” she said.
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