Nghiwete to challenge ‘shameless’ NSFAF dismissal
OGONE TLHAGE
Former Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) CEO Hiliya Nghiwete is set to challenge her dismissal.
Nghiwete was fired by the NSFAF board last week after attempts to conclude her disciplinary hearing failed.
The fund’s board chairperson Klemens /Awarab said in a statement said Nghiwete’s disciplinary hearing could not be concluded.
“Ms Nghiwete has no sense of urgency in having (the) disciplinary (process) finalised because she is receiving her full remuneration. Subsequent thereto, the conduct of Ms Nghiwete is viewed by the board to be grossly unreasonable and aimed at frustrating the disciplinary process,” /Awarab said.
Nghiwete’s lawyer Sisa Namandje said her dismissal would be challenged, adding his client had not unnecessarily delayed her disciplinary hearing from taking place, as alleged by the NSFAF board.
“Our client did not unreasonably or unlawfully delay the disciplinary hearing. The hearing proceeded throughout 2019 until our client was booked off by the doctor for a specified period until 12 March 2020. Despite our client having a valid certificate from a doctor, NSFAF grudgingly decided to abandon the disciplinary hearing and dismiss our client in a manner inconsistent with Section 33(1) of the Labour Act,” he said.
Nghiwete, Namandje said, would lodge an appeal with the Office of the Labour Commissioner today, while notice of an urgent Labour Court application would be served on NSFAF by tomorrow.
Namandje called Nghiwete’s dismissal shameless.
“Our client believes that the decision to terminate her employment without charges and a hearing is a shameless stratagem by the NSFAF board to render the upcoming hearing in the High Court on 7 May as moot and academic,” Namandje said.
He added that the evidence presented at her disciplinary hearings had been abandoned, proving that the disciplinary process was compromised by various irregularities.
“Had NSFAF not abandoned the disciplinary hearing, our client was bound to be acquitted upon a fair, impartial and objective evaluation of the evidence,” Namandje said.
Former Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) CEO Hiliya Nghiwete is set to challenge her dismissal.
Nghiwete was fired by the NSFAF board last week after attempts to conclude her disciplinary hearing failed.
The fund’s board chairperson Klemens /Awarab said in a statement said Nghiwete’s disciplinary hearing could not be concluded.
“Ms Nghiwete has no sense of urgency in having (the) disciplinary (process) finalised because she is receiving her full remuneration. Subsequent thereto, the conduct of Ms Nghiwete is viewed by the board to be grossly unreasonable and aimed at frustrating the disciplinary process,” /Awarab said.
Nghiwete’s lawyer Sisa Namandje said her dismissal would be challenged, adding his client had not unnecessarily delayed her disciplinary hearing from taking place, as alleged by the NSFAF board.
“Our client did not unreasonably or unlawfully delay the disciplinary hearing. The hearing proceeded throughout 2019 until our client was booked off by the doctor for a specified period until 12 March 2020. Despite our client having a valid certificate from a doctor, NSFAF grudgingly decided to abandon the disciplinary hearing and dismiss our client in a manner inconsistent with Section 33(1) of the Labour Act,” he said.
Nghiwete, Namandje said, would lodge an appeal with the Office of the Labour Commissioner today, while notice of an urgent Labour Court application would be served on NSFAF by tomorrow.
Namandje called Nghiwete’s dismissal shameless.
“Our client believes that the decision to terminate her employment without charges and a hearing is a shameless stratagem by the NSFAF board to render the upcoming hearing in the High Court on 7 May as moot and academic,” Namandje said.
He added that the evidence presented at her disciplinary hearings had been abandoned, proving that the disciplinary process was compromised by various irregularities.
“Had NSFAF not abandoned the disciplinary hearing, our client was bound to be acquitted upon a fair, impartial and objective evaluation of the evidence,” Namandje said.
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