Muzzling claims surface against Oceana
• Uumati wants to provide ‘truthful, accurate and correct information’
Dr Martha Uumati alleges that her suspension was a strategic move to muzzle her and prevent her from providing accurate information to regulatory authorities.
Suspended managing director of Erongo Marine Enterprises (EME) Dr Martha Uumati has made startling allegations of attempted muzzling and interference in the submission of crucial documents to the Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) by her South African bosses.
Uumati alleges that her suspension by South African Oceana Group Limited (OGL) CEO Neville Brink and subsequent attempts to influence her affidavit submission are part of a broader effort to silence dissent and undermine her authority within the company.
She contends that her suspension was a strategic move to muzzle her and prevent her from providing accurate information to regulatory authorities.
Allegations
In email correspondence submitted as part of an NaCC investigation, Uumati expressed concerns about allegedly excluding specific information from her affidavit at the behest of external legal advisors, emphasising her commitment to providing truthful and accurate information but raising objections to alleged attempts to influence the content of her submission.
“I understand this investigation to be a fully-fledged investigation, and there may be consequences. I do not want to appear to be obstructive, but most importantly, as if I am being insolent and disobedient; however, my desire is to provide, as I am stating in the affidavit, truthful, accurate and correct information," Uumati wrote.
"Through doing so, to demonstrate that our hands are clean, contrary to the accusations. I am the deponent to the affidavit, and the information I am to provide, I am providing under oath. I am further saying that I consider the oath to be binding on my conscious, and it is this conscious that continues to prevail over me in how I handle this matter. But ultimately, I know that an oath has legal implications,” she added.
Suspension
Uumati was suspended last month after she failed to attend a meeting scheduled to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, despite her questioning why the meeting should take place in South Africa when it was to discuss a Namibian entity and Namibian rights holders.
"I find it highly disconcerting that a Namibian matter should be handled in South Africa and without the relevant EME support staff. I have served on the Namdeb Holdings Board where De Beers is a partner with government, a partnership which works well and reflects the commitment and dedication to sustainably utilise the Namibian resource whilst respecting the independence and sovereignty of Namibia as a separate jurisdiction,” she said.
Red flags
Meanwhile, a submission to NaCC titled 'ESP/EME Right and Quota Holding Entities Quota Usage Fees Agreement & Charter Agreement Arrangement', has brought to light a series of alleged irregularities.
According to the submission, the quota usage fee agreement has gone missing, despite the fact that right-holding companies have been receiving payments for over 20 years.
Meanwhile, Uumati said, following her suspension, she attended an in-person meeting at the NaCC on 21 February.
However, on arrival, only the South African team, including Oceana Group, BCP, Webber Wentzel, and Engling Stritter and Partners, were in attendance, with no EME team member present, she said.
Uumati also registered a grievance against Ina Botha on 30 November 2023, alleging lack of inclusion, transparency and accountability within EME, especially Botha’s alleged unilateral decision-making on the board without engaging the full board and management.
Another accusation was over her alleged unilateral alteration of Uumati's terms and conditions of employment without consultation and instances of bullying and intimidation, which Uumati said have significantly impacted her professional integrity and well-being.
Brink refused to comment when contacted by Namibian Sun last week.
[email protected]
Uumati alleges that her suspension by South African Oceana Group Limited (OGL) CEO Neville Brink and subsequent attempts to influence her affidavit submission are part of a broader effort to silence dissent and undermine her authority within the company.
She contends that her suspension was a strategic move to muzzle her and prevent her from providing accurate information to regulatory authorities.
Allegations
In email correspondence submitted as part of an NaCC investigation, Uumati expressed concerns about allegedly excluding specific information from her affidavit at the behest of external legal advisors, emphasising her commitment to providing truthful and accurate information but raising objections to alleged attempts to influence the content of her submission.
“I understand this investigation to be a fully-fledged investigation, and there may be consequences. I do not want to appear to be obstructive, but most importantly, as if I am being insolent and disobedient; however, my desire is to provide, as I am stating in the affidavit, truthful, accurate and correct information," Uumati wrote.
"Through doing so, to demonstrate that our hands are clean, contrary to the accusations. I am the deponent to the affidavit, and the information I am to provide, I am providing under oath. I am further saying that I consider the oath to be binding on my conscious, and it is this conscious that continues to prevail over me in how I handle this matter. But ultimately, I know that an oath has legal implications,” she added.
Suspension
Uumati was suspended last month after she failed to attend a meeting scheduled to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, despite her questioning why the meeting should take place in South Africa when it was to discuss a Namibian entity and Namibian rights holders.
"I find it highly disconcerting that a Namibian matter should be handled in South Africa and without the relevant EME support staff. I have served on the Namdeb Holdings Board where De Beers is a partner with government, a partnership which works well and reflects the commitment and dedication to sustainably utilise the Namibian resource whilst respecting the independence and sovereignty of Namibia as a separate jurisdiction,” she said.
Red flags
Meanwhile, a submission to NaCC titled 'ESP/EME Right and Quota Holding Entities Quota Usage Fees Agreement & Charter Agreement Arrangement', has brought to light a series of alleged irregularities.
According to the submission, the quota usage fee agreement has gone missing, despite the fact that right-holding companies have been receiving payments for over 20 years.
Meanwhile, Uumati said, following her suspension, she attended an in-person meeting at the NaCC on 21 February.
However, on arrival, only the South African team, including Oceana Group, BCP, Webber Wentzel, and Engling Stritter and Partners, were in attendance, with no EME team member present, she said.
Uumati also registered a grievance against Ina Botha on 30 November 2023, alleging lack of inclusion, transparency and accountability within EME, especially Botha’s alleged unilateral decision-making on the board without engaging the full board and management.
Another accusation was over her alleged unilateral alteration of Uumati's terms and conditions of employment without consultation and instances of bullying and intimidation, which Uumati said have significantly impacted her professional integrity and well-being.
Brink refused to comment when contacted by Namibian Sun last week.
[email protected]
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