RA: mystery cheques ruffle feathers

ROADS Authority Chief Executive Officer Justin Runji appeared baffled yesterday when asked about a Roads Contractor Company (RCC) cheque for N$93 000 that was allegedly paid into his account.

Runji told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into alleged malpractices at the Roads Authority and the Road Fund Administration (RFA) that he did not recall receiving any money from the RCC, and ruled out any possibility that he could have accepted money from his organisation’s sister parastatal. “Quite frankly and honestly, I do not recall receiving any payment from the RCC.I’m seeing this for the first time.The issue of payment [by] RCC is complete news to me,” said Runji.He was reacting to questions from the Legal Counsel for the inquiry, Otniel Podewiltz, about the cheque purportedly paid in November 2000.Runji later explained that he had, indeed, received N$93 000 that year.But he said it was the Roads Authority that paid him the amount as an acting allowance from June to October 2000.Runji was appointed Acting CEO in June.Podewiltz’s questioning also unsettled another Roads Authority manager, Conrad Lutombi, who allegedly received N$9 000 from the RCC.Lutombi, Manager for Road Transport Inspection Services, later showed The Namibian his bank records that showed the money came from the Roads Authority – not the RCC – as an allowance for attending a conference and a meeting in Durban, South Africa and Maputo, Mozambique in October last year.Both Runji and Lutombi said they were concerned that the line of questioning about the cheques could tarnish their reputations.But Podewiltz said the mistake concerning the payment to Lutombi had been made by the person who paid the cheque into his bank account.The origin of the cheque paid into Runji’s account is still to be determined independently.Runji appeared concerned about the possible impact of media reports.However, the commission said they did not have the power to control the media.After explaining his income and businesses outside the Roads Authority, the CEO spent the day rebutting claims that cast doubt on his performance and the parastatal’s record.On his salary, which jumped from N$550 000 in 2000 to N$844 000 last year, Runji said he had no influence on the RA board’s decisions about his pay package.He answered a question on his own record by saying Namibia’s roads were among the best in southern Africa, adding that “this is no mean achievement”.Runji also dismissed earlier statements from some Roads Authority employees claiming that the parastatal was poorly managed and morale was low.He put the statements down to “different” agendas put forward by people who, for instance, had scores to settle.But he said morale may have dipped after the RFA tried to “clandestinely” investigate the Roads Authority.He said the planned forensic probe was instigated by Sophia Tekie, Roads Authority manager for the Road Management System.Runji blocked the investigation at the beginning of last year by detaining the auditors in the parastatal’s board room.Charges of unlawful detention against him and counter charges of trespassing against Fanie Pienaar, who led a team of South African auditors, are still pending, Runji said yesterday.He is set to continue testifying today.”Quite frankly and honestly, I do not recall receiving any payment from the RCC. I’m seeing this for the first time. The issue of payment [by] RCC is complete news to me,” said Runji. He was reacting to questions from the Legal Counsel for the inquiry, Otniel Podewiltz, about the cheque purportedly paid in November 2000. Runji later explained that he had, indeed, received N$93 000 that year. But he said it was the Roads Authority that paid him the amount as an acting allowance from June to October 2000. Runji was appointed Acting CEO in June. Podewiltz’s questioning also unsettled another Roads Authority manager, Conrad Lutombi, who allegedly received N$9 000 from the RCC. Lutombi, Manager for Road Transport Inspection Services, later showed The Namibian his bank records that showed the money came from the Roads Authority – not the RCC – as an allowance for attending a conference and a meeting in Durban, South Africa and Maputo, Mozambique in October last year. Both Runji and Lutombi said they were concerned that the line of questioning about the cheques could tarnish their reputations. But Podewiltz said the mistake concerning the payment to Lutombi had been made by the person who paid the cheque into his bank account. The origin of the cheque paid into Runji’s account is still to be determined independently. Runji appeared concerned about the possible impact of media reports. However, the commission said they did not have the power to control the media. After explaining his income and businesses outside the Roads Authority, the CEO spent the day rebutting claims that cast doubt on his performance and the parastatal’s record. On his salary, which jumped from N$550 000 in 2000 to N$844 000 last year, Runji said he had no influence on the RA board’s decisions about his pay package. He answered a question on his own record by saying Namibia’s roads were among the best in southern Africa, adding that “this is no mean achievement”. Runji also dismissed earlier statements from some Roads Authority employees claiming that the parastatal was poorly managed and morale was low. He put the statements down to “different” agendas put forward by people who, for instance, had scores to settle. But he said morale may have dipped after the RFA tried to “clandestinely” investigate the Roads Authority. He said the planned forensic probe was instigated by Sophia Tekie, Roads Authority manager for the Road Management System. Runji blocked the investigation at the beginning of last year by detaining the auditors in the parastatal’s board room. Charges of unlawful detention against him and counter charges of trespassing against Fanie Pienaar, who led a team of South African auditors, are still pending, Runji said yesterday. He is set to continue testifying today.