Zaamwani yet to meet Meatco over CEO reinstatement
The board opted not to extend his five-year term when it expired in January.
Cabinet had resolved to return Meatco CEO to the helm of the state-owned meat corporation.
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani says her ministry is yet to meet with Meatco due to scheduling challenges, despite a Cabinet directive to reinstate former CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji.
Zaamwani was responding to a question on whether she intends to act on Cabinet's directive despite the Meatco board’s lawful decision not to renew Mushokabanji’s contract.
The board opted not to extend his five-year term when it expired in January.
Her remarks follow those of former agriculture minister Mac Hengari, who earlier instructed Meatco to halt its recruitment process for a new CEO and, controversially, directed the board to reinstate Mushokabanji, citing a breach of a prior Cabinet directive.
Mushokabanji's return
In a letter dated 7 April and addressed to Meatco board chairperson Sakaria Nghikembua, Hengari confirmed that Cabinet had resolved to return Mushokabanji to the helm of the state-owned meat corporation.
Hengari further called for an urgent meeting with the Meatco board, which is expected to include finance minister Ericah Shafudah, Attorney General Festus Mbandeka, and justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel.
According to the letter, Cabinet had mandated business continuity and implementation of Meatco’s turnaround strategy “with Mr Mwilima Mushokabanji as chief executive officer”.
Hengari noted that while the government funded the turnaround strategy, the board failed to retain Mushokabanji as CEO.
“This breach needs to be discussed and rectified,” he wrote.
He added: “We understand there is currently ongoing recruitment of a new CEO of Meatco. I hereby strongly advise you to cease from recruiting a new CEO until we have concluded our consultations with your board.”
Operational loss
Mushokabanji’s potential reinstatement has sparked division both within the Cabinet and the public enterprises sector.
During his tenure, Meatco suffered several financial setbacks, including a reported N$258 million operational loss for the year-to-date period beginning January 2024.
The government injected approximately N$700 million into the company between 2021 and 2023.
Sources suggest that when the Cabinet approved the new Meatco board, it did so on the condition that Mushokabanji be reinstated.
However, after conducting its internal evaluation, the board instead opted to advertise the CEO position.
[email protected]
Zaamwani was responding to a question on whether she intends to act on Cabinet's directive despite the Meatco board’s lawful decision not to renew Mushokabanji’s contract.
The board opted not to extend his five-year term when it expired in January.
Her remarks follow those of former agriculture minister Mac Hengari, who earlier instructed Meatco to halt its recruitment process for a new CEO and, controversially, directed the board to reinstate Mushokabanji, citing a breach of a prior Cabinet directive.
Mushokabanji's return
In a letter dated 7 April and addressed to Meatco board chairperson Sakaria Nghikembua, Hengari confirmed that Cabinet had resolved to return Mushokabanji to the helm of the state-owned meat corporation.
Hengari further called for an urgent meeting with the Meatco board, which is expected to include finance minister Ericah Shafudah, Attorney General Festus Mbandeka, and justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel.
According to the letter, Cabinet had mandated business continuity and implementation of Meatco’s turnaround strategy “with Mr Mwilima Mushokabanji as chief executive officer”.
Hengari noted that while the government funded the turnaround strategy, the board failed to retain Mushokabanji as CEO.
“This breach needs to be discussed and rectified,” he wrote.
He added: “We understand there is currently ongoing recruitment of a new CEO of Meatco. I hereby strongly advise you to cease from recruiting a new CEO until we have concluded our consultations with your board.”
Operational loss
Mushokabanji’s potential reinstatement has sparked division both within the Cabinet and the public enterprises sector.
During his tenure, Meatco suffered several financial setbacks, including a reported N$258 million operational loss for the year-to-date period beginning January 2024.
The government injected approximately N$700 million into the company between 2021 and 2023.
Sources suggest that when the Cabinet approved the new Meatco board, it did so on the condition that Mushokabanji be reinstated.
However, after conducting its internal evaluation, the board instead opted to advertise the CEO position.
[email protected]
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