Cabinet backs appointment of 58-year-old CEO

Cabinet has defended its decision to approve Vehaka Tjimune (58) as chief executive officer of the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPB), insisting that a candidate's age is only one of several factors considered when appointing heads of public enterprises.

The appointment of the agricultural specialist has drawn attention because a standard five-year performance contract would keep him in office beyond the retirement age of 60.

However, secretary to Cabinet Emilia Mkusa said government does not rely solely on age when deciding whether to approve appointments submitted by line ministers.

"It is not to say that we don't take age into consideration. We actually do, but it also depends on a number of things, based on what the board and the line minister consider," Mkusa told Namibian Sun.

Cabinet recently approved Tjimune's appointment following a recommendation from agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani, who had in turn endorsed the recommendation of the outgoing LLPB board. The board’s term expired at the end of July.

Mkusa declined to elaborate on the considerations that informed Cabinet's decision, saying implementation of the appointment now rests with the ministry and the board.

"Speak to the minister because, after Cabinet approval, the matter goes back to her and the LLPB board on the way forward," she said.

Retirement debate

Documents seen by Namibian Sun show Tjimune, who was born on 20 July 1968, turned 58 last month.

If he assumes office on the conventional five-year contract awarded to most public enterprise chief executives, he would remain in the position until about the age of 63.

The documents submitted to Cabinet do not indicate the proposed duration of his contract, his remuneration package or whether LLPB's retirement policy permits a chief executive to remain in office after reaching 60.

Government has previously maintained that executives may be retained beyond retirement age only in exceptional circumstances, particularly where a public enterprise lacks a succession plan and an incumbent has demonstrated exceptional performance.

Unlike previous cases, however, Tjimune's appointment concerns a new chief executive who would reach retirement age less than two years into a standard contract rather than an incumbent seeking an extension.

Recruitment under scrutiny

The appointment also follows a recruitment process that the outgoing LLPB board claimed was initiated without its knowledge.

In a letter dated 20 April, former board chairperson Lucia Hamutenya informed Zaamwani that management had invited bids for an executive recruitment agency before obtaining board approval.

"The board did not initiate the process and it had no knowledge of this fact," Hamutenya wrote.

According to the documents, management sought the board's approval only a day before the bidding process closed, despite procurement already being under way.

Hamutenya further alleged that the appointed recruitment firm was never issued with formal terms of reference defining its scope of work.

"Nor is there any foundational document defining the agency's original scope of work and deliverables," she wrote.

Despite those concerns, the board ultimately resolved to recommend Tjimune for appointment, with Zaamwani forwarding the recommendation to Cabinet for approval.

Veteran livestock administrator

Tjimune has more than 30 years' experience in agriculture, livestock and rural development.

He previously served in the agriculture ministry, spent about a decade at the Namibia National Farmers Union as executive director, and later joined Meatco, where he rose from senior manager for livestock procurement to strategic executive for stakeholder relations and corporate affairs.

He also served on the Agribank board before joining German development agency GIZ as a senior agricultural policy adviser.

Contacted for comment, Tjimune referred questions to acting LLPB chief executive Goliath Tujendapi, saying he was not yet part of the organisation.

"I am still not part of the establishment. It is best if you speak to the acting CEO of LLPB," he said.

Tujendapi referred all questions to Zaamwani, who had not responded by the time of publication.