NSFAF improved without Nghiwete
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
Following the suspension of its CEO Hilya Nghiwete, the image and reputation of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) improved tremendously, with the number of public complaints declining remarkably, the institution said this week.
In its main heads of arguments for Friday’s appeal against the arbitrator’s order to reinstate Nghiwete and reimburse her N$3 million backpay, NSFAF said she was paid over N$4 million while not rendering any services to the fund, putting the institution in a precarious financial position.
It added that there were sufficient grounds to suspend a disciplinary hearing Nghiwete failed to attend, and dismiss her altogether.
These grounds include the fact that she was booked off sick for three months for a disease simply referred to as ‘psychopathological’ without informing the institution, yet travelling to Finland on personal business.
It is not clear why Nghiwete was medically fit to conduct private business but unfit to participate in a disciplinary hearing, the fund said.
She also reportedly refused to see a doctor recommended by the fund after it was found that her sick leave certificate was “wholly inadequate and provided no explanation for her condition or her ability or inability to participate in the disciplinary hearing”.
A large organisation which required a CEO to provide leadership at a critical time, the NSFAF said this was denied due to the protracted nature of the disciplinary process, and exacerbated by Nghiwete’s conduct.
In the dark
Nghiwete was booked off from December 2019 until 12 March 2020 and no indication was given that she would be able to attend the disciplinary hearing after this time.
“Our client is totally in the dark about the nature, degree and severity of Nghiwete’s condition and how long it may last.
“The future of the disciplinary hearing currently hangs in the balance, a situation which clearly favours your client who receives full benefits and remuneration during this time, to the prejudice of NSFAF’s operational requirements as well as public interest,” the fund wrote to Nghiwete’s lawyers.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Following the suspension of its CEO Hilya Nghiwete, the image and reputation of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) improved tremendously, with the number of public complaints declining remarkably, the institution said this week.
In its main heads of arguments for Friday’s appeal against the arbitrator’s order to reinstate Nghiwete and reimburse her N$3 million backpay, NSFAF said she was paid over N$4 million while not rendering any services to the fund, putting the institution in a precarious financial position.
It added that there were sufficient grounds to suspend a disciplinary hearing Nghiwete failed to attend, and dismiss her altogether.
These grounds include the fact that she was booked off sick for three months for a disease simply referred to as ‘psychopathological’ without informing the institution, yet travelling to Finland on personal business.
It is not clear why Nghiwete was medically fit to conduct private business but unfit to participate in a disciplinary hearing, the fund said.
She also reportedly refused to see a doctor recommended by the fund after it was found that her sick leave certificate was “wholly inadequate and provided no explanation for her condition or her ability or inability to participate in the disciplinary hearing”.
A large organisation which required a CEO to provide leadership at a critical time, the NSFAF said this was denied due to the protracted nature of the disciplinary process, and exacerbated by Nghiwete’s conduct.
In the dark
Nghiwete was booked off from December 2019 until 12 March 2020 and no indication was given that she would be able to attend the disciplinary hearing after this time.
“Our client is totally in the dark about the nature, degree and severity of Nghiwete’s condition and how long it may last.
“The future of the disciplinary hearing currently hangs in the balance, a situation which clearly favours your client who receives full benefits and remuneration during this time, to the prejudice of NSFAF’s operational requirements as well as public interest,” the fund wrote to Nghiwete’s lawyers.
[email protected]
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