Thiemann accused of intimidation

THE public hearing into alleged irregularities in Namibia’s roads administration was told on Friday that a Roads Authority (RA) manager allegedly tried to intimidate another witness.

The hearing heard allegations that Peter Thiemann, Divisional Engineer in the Construction and Rehabilitation section, had called RA laboratory head Jurgen Oelker into his office a day after Oelker gave evidence on January 12. He allegedly told Oelker to rectify his testimony.As a result, Thiemann might be charged with attempting to defeat the course of justice by interfering with a witness.The commission was to deliberate on the issue, and Thiemann is set to hear his fate today.Speaking in his defence, Thiemann told the Commission of Inquiry into Alleged Irregularities and Malpractices into the Roads Authority (RA) and Road Fund Administration (RFA) that he did not ask Oelker to change his evidence.”I just asked him to justify the things he said about me being an incompetent manager.I am his supervisor, and the things he said were embarrassing.Also, him saying the RA is run by consultants shows disloyalty to the company,” said Thiemann.Oelker told the commission that Thiemann asked RA Chief Executive Officer Justin Runji to terminate Oelker’s contract.Thiemann admitted that Runji did not agree with this, so he [Thiemann] contacted the German Embassy over the termination of Oelker’s contract.Oelker, who was sent to Namibia two years ago to help upgrade the RA central laboratory, works with the RA as part of a programme between Namibia and Germany through which experienced engineers are seconded to Namibia to help transfer skills.When Oelker gave his testimony earlier this month, he claimed the RA was being run by consultants and that Thiemann, his immediate supervisor, had questionable management skills.Commissioner Sacky Shanghala said on Friday it was unacceptable for anyone to intimidate witnesses trying to assist the commission.”It is very disconcerting that there is a possibility of testimonies being tampered with.No one has a right to go and discipline witnesses after their testimonies because they are embarrassed about what has been said about them, because witnesses will at the end of the day be reluctant to testify truthfully because they feel intimidated,” Shanghala told Thiemann.He also asked Thiemann if it was normal practice for him to attempt to get those who disagreed with him fired.Thiemann replied that he had an open management style and that he could take criticism.However, he said, he also expected loyalty to the company and that statements made by people like Oelker could destroy the RA.Commission Chairman, Kenendai Tjivikua, said: “I don’t know about the other commissioners but I take this very seriously.I will not allow anyone to undermine the authority of this commission”.In terms of the Presidential Commission Act, a person who interferes with a witness is liable to a fine or imprisonment, or both.The hearing continues today.He allegedly told Oelker to rectify his testimony. As a result, Thiemann might be charged with attempting to defeat the course of justice by interfering with a witness. The commission was to deliberate on the issue, and Thiemann is set to hear his fate today. Speaking in his defence, Thiemann told the Commission of Inquiry into Alleged Irregularities and Malpractices into the Roads Authority (RA) and Road Fund Administration (RFA) that he did not ask Oelker to change his evidence. “I just asked him to justify the things he said about me being an incompetent manager. I am his supervisor, and the things he said were embarrassing. Also, him saying the RA is run by consultants shows disloyalty to the company,” said Thiemann. Oelker told the commission that Thiemann asked RA Chief Executive Officer Justin Runji to terminate Oelker’s contract. Thiemann admitted that Runji did not agree with this, so he [Thiemann] contacted the German Embassy over the termination of Oelker’s contract. Oelker, who was sent to Namibia two years ago to help upgrade the RA central laboratory, works with the RA as part of a programme between Namibia and Germany through which experienced engineers are seconded to Namibia to help transfer skills. When Oelker gave his testimony earlier this month, he claimed the RA was being run by consultants and that Thiemann, his immediate supervisor, had questionable management skills. Commissioner Sacky Shanghala said on Friday it was unacceptable for anyone to intimidate witnesses trying to assist the commission. “It is very disconcerting that there is a possibility of testimonies being tampered with. No one has a right to go and discipline witnesses after their testimonies because they are embarrassed about what has been said about them, because witnesses will at the end of the day be reluctant to testify truthfully because they feel intimidated,” Shanghala told Thiemann. He also asked Thiemann if it was normal practice for him to attempt to get those who disagreed with him fired. Thiemann replied that he had an open management style and that he could take criticism. However, he said, he also expected loyalty to the company and that statements made by people like Oelker could destroy the RA. Commission Chairman, Kenendai Tjivikua, said: “I don’t know about the other commissioners but I take this very seriously. I will not allow anyone to undermine the authority of this commission”. In terms of the Presidential Commission Act, a person who interferes with a witness is liable to a fine or imprisonment, or both. The hearing continues today.