Governance issues plague Meatco
Former Meatco board member Clara Bohitile says her attempts to question the retrenchment of all staff older than 55 were quashed.
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
Former Meatco board member Clara Bohitile says corporate governance standards are not adhered to at the company, and could threaten its sustainability.
Bohitile made the remarks in a resignation letter penned to public enterprises minister Leon Jooste. She said she had attempted to call several board meetings since 8 April to discuss planned retrenchments at the company, which all did not materialise.
The company in April proceeded to retrench employees who were aged 55 and above.
“I was not even aware that the process has gone that far. I was not in a position to have monitored the process and have exercised my oversight function as a director, because I didn't receive any updates on the process from management,” Bohitile said.
Her attempts to question the retrenchments further were quashed, she claimed.
“On the two occasions (15 April) when I attempted to raise my concerns, co-opted member (legal) Mr [Kishi] Shakumu advised that I could not speak, because there was no submission.
“On 27 May after submission, once again Mr Shakumu advised the board not to discuss my concerns, as retrenchments has already taken place, so [the] board could therefore not discuss and management did not respond to my concerns (sic),” Bohitile said.
She questioned why board members had not been informed accordingly about the retrenchments and only found out about it through the press.
“I felt strongly that not keeping the board continuously in the loop during the retrenchment process and the board members having to read in newspapers, just like any other Namibian, is total disregard for corporate governance,” she said.
New board needed
Jooste asked Bohitile what had led to her resignation.
“Was the retrenchment implemented by the CEO without due regard to the criteria set by the board? Did management (under the CEO) not keep the board in the loop as the retrenchment was implemented? Who did not allow you to address the issues during the 15 April and 27 May Board meetings?” he asked.
“Meatco is a critical institution and appropriate, targeted intervention is critical to safeguard its commercial sustainability,” Jooste added.
In her resignation letter, Bohitile said she would not be able to make an impact in Meatco’s activities.
“I will not be in any position to make any impact on the board going forward. It is my honest opinion that there is an urgent need for a new balanced board for Meatco. The planned annual general meeting for 25 June is probably an opportunity to start all over again,” Bohitile said.
WINDHOEK
Former Meatco board member Clara Bohitile says corporate governance standards are not adhered to at the company, and could threaten its sustainability.
Bohitile made the remarks in a resignation letter penned to public enterprises minister Leon Jooste. She said she had attempted to call several board meetings since 8 April to discuss planned retrenchments at the company, which all did not materialise.
The company in April proceeded to retrench employees who were aged 55 and above.
“I was not even aware that the process has gone that far. I was not in a position to have monitored the process and have exercised my oversight function as a director, because I didn't receive any updates on the process from management,” Bohitile said.
Her attempts to question the retrenchments further were quashed, she claimed.
“On the two occasions (15 April) when I attempted to raise my concerns, co-opted member (legal) Mr [Kishi] Shakumu advised that I could not speak, because there was no submission.
“On 27 May after submission, once again Mr Shakumu advised the board not to discuss my concerns, as retrenchments has already taken place, so [the] board could therefore not discuss and management did not respond to my concerns (sic),” Bohitile said.
She questioned why board members had not been informed accordingly about the retrenchments and only found out about it through the press.
“I felt strongly that not keeping the board continuously in the loop during the retrenchment process and the board members having to read in newspapers, just like any other Namibian, is total disregard for corporate governance,” she said.
New board needed
Jooste asked Bohitile what had led to her resignation.
“Was the retrenchment implemented by the CEO without due regard to the criteria set by the board? Did management (under the CEO) not keep the board in the loop as the retrenchment was implemented? Who did not allow you to address the issues during the 15 April and 27 May Board meetings?” he asked.
“Meatco is a critical institution and appropriate, targeted intervention is critical to safeguard its commercial sustainability,” Jooste added.
In her resignation letter, Bohitile said she would not be able to make an impact in Meatco’s activities.
“I will not be in any position to make any impact on the board going forward. It is my honest opinion that there is an urgent need for a new balanced board for Meatco. The planned annual general meeting for 25 June is probably an opportunity to start all over again,” Bohitile said.
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