TransNamib dismisses Gonzo over property deals

TransNamib has dismissed its executive for human capital, Webster Gonzo, after a disciplinary enquiry found him guilty of gross negligence in property transactions involving railway assets outside the company's approved non-core disposal programme.Gonzo's dismissal took effect on 26 October 2026, following findings relating to property transactions in Lüderitz, Mariental and Keetmanshoop, the appointment of conveyancers and a breach of the company's code of business conduct and ethics.The disciplinary proceedings followed internal audit investigations conducted during 2025 and 2026 and a subsequent external forensic investigation into TransNamib's property disposal programme.Cabinet approved TransNamib's Integrated Strategic Business Plan in October 2018, paving the way for the disposal of non-core properties to help finance the company's turnaround.However, the disciplinary enquiry found that certain transactions involving Gonzo concerned properties outside the authorised non-core disposal programme.The enquiry was chaired by Cor Beuke and examined Gonzo's conduct while serving as acting chief executive officer following the departure of former CEO Johny Smith.Lüderitz railway propertyOne of the charges concerned a lease agreement Gonzo signed with businessman Elias Shikongo on 30 January 2024 for premises in the Lüderitz railway station area.The agreement included a provision granting Shikongo a preferential right relating to the purchase of the property.“Gonzo is found guilty of gross negligence for executing the unusual purchase-related lease provision over core railway property outside the approved non-core programme without adequate verification of its authority and legal effect,” the findings read.Beuke found that the misconduct concerned the inclusion of a purchase-related provision affecting railway property that had not been authorised for disposal under the non-core property programme.The enquiry also examined business interests shared by Shikongo and TransNamib deputy chairperson Gaenor Michaels in LexNa Incorporated and LexNa Insurance.Gonzo was found guilty of breaching the company's code of business conduct and ethics after failing to raise and investigate a potential conflict of interest before endorsing the lease.However, the findings did not establish that Gonzo held a financial interest in those businesses or personally benefited from the transaction.The enquiry also distinguished the January 2024 lease signed by Gonzo from a subsequent deed executed by another TransNamib official in October 2024.Gonzo was not charged with personally executing the later document.Conveyancing appointmentAnother charge concerned the appointment of Shikongo Law Chambers to provide conveyancing services for property sales.“I find Mr Gonzo guilty on the alternative charge of gross negligence. The proved misconduct is his failure to exercise the required care in accepting Shikongo Law Chambers as conveyancer in the identified sale agreements without verifying the procurement authority required by clause 17.1 of the terms of reference,” the findings read.The clause required TransNamib to appoint a conveyancing service provider through its normal procurement procedures.The disciplinary finding concerned Gonzo's failure to verify the required procurement authority, rather than a finding that he personally benefited from the appointment.The enquiry also considered transactions involving Erf 810 in Mariental and Erf 50 in Keetmanshoop.Beuke found Gonzo guilty of gross negligence in relation to both properties, concluding that he had failed to conduct the necessary checks before proceeding with the transactions.The Mariental property was reportedly sold for N$194 000.“Gonzo had executed the deed for the Mariental property outside the authorised non-core portfolio without the elementary verification required of an acting chief executive officer familiar with that programme… the omission exposed TransNamib to a contractual commitment concerning an asset which the programme did not authorise for disposal,” the findings read.The enquiry found that Gonzo's failure to verify the property's status exposed TransNamib to a contractual commitment involving an asset outside the authorised disposal programme.However, Gonzo was acquitted of a separate charge involving Erf 1104 in Keetmanshoop, a property valued at N$705 000.Gonzo to appealThe disciplinary hearing took place in Windhoek on 1 and 2 September 2026.Gonzo did not attend after Beuke declined his request for a postponement based on a medical certificate and the unavailability of his legal representative.Under TransNamib's disciplinary policy, Beuke recommended that the final decision rest with the company's board.Contacted this week, Gonzo confirmed his intention to appeal and said he remained bound by the company's disciplinary procedures."The next stage is the appeal process, which I fully intend to follow accordingly this week,” he said.TransNamib chief executive Desmond Van Jaarsveld confirmed the dismissal in an internal memorandum seen by Namibian Sun.“The dismissal follows a finding of guilt on several disciplinary charges of gross negligence and a charge of breach of the company code of conduct and ethics. The internal disciplinary proceedings followed after an internal audit investigation during 2025 and 2026 into the alienation project undertaken by the company and the findings of a subsequent external forensic investigation,” Van Jaarsveld wrote.

TransNamib dismisses Gonzo over property deals

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-29

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TransNamib dismisses Gonzo over property deals

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-29

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