Rukoro gets N$3m severance

Meatco is on the hunt for a new CEO after officially dropping all disciplinary charges against Vekuii Rukoro, who was suspended from the position earlier this year.

The former Meatco CEO is, however, not walking away empty handed as the company agreed to pay him about N$3 million for the last two months of his contract, which expires on 1 February 2018.

This was confirmed yesterday by Rukoro's legal representative, Jefta Tjitemisa, who said all four charges against Rukoro had been dropped by the company.

The last two charges were only dropped last week after two other charges had been dropped at the end of November.

Meatco did not waste much time after this and advertised the CEO position in yesterday's newspapers, with the closing date for submissions being 8 January.

Tjitemisa said although the disciplinary hearing against Rukoro was over he was not interested in working for Meatco any longer after the way they had treated him.

Rukoro was suspended by the meat processor's board in May pending an undisclosed investigation into operations at the company.

“He only has two months left on his contract before it expires and he considered taking them to court for defamation of character but it was agreed that the company will pay him N$3 million for the two months he has left,” said Tjitemisa.

Tjitemisa said this meant that he would get N$1.5 million for each month left.

He suggested that public enterprises should stop wasting the taxpayer's money by suspending people unnecessarily.

“They knew from the beginning that these charges would not stick.”

The first charge alleged that Rukoro had given a certain cabinet minister preferential treatment when it came to the purchasing and slaughtering of his cattle in Kavango.

This is according to a document in Namibian Sun's possession. Dated 17 August, the letter gave Rukoro notice of the disciplinary charges against him.

Rukoro was also accused of having influenced a decision to advance a N$200 000 payment to the minister for his cattle, exposing the company to financial risks.

According to the charges, his conduct frustrated the company's operations and reputation.

The second charge pertained to alleged derogatory, offensive and disrespectful remarks made against certain members of the Meatco board and the government.

Rukoro pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Rukoro was also accused of not being fit to continue leading Meatco because of his obligations connected to his role as paramount chief of the Ovaherero people.

He was further charged for accepting his appointment to the MMI Holdings board without the Meatco board's approval.

Rukoro did not accept these charges.

The Meatco board and Rukoro have been involved in a bitter feud for quite some time now. Last year in August he survived an attempt by the board to suspend him.

It was widely reported in the print media that the Meatco board had failed to get permission from public enterprises minister Leon Jooste to go ahead with the suspension.

Board chair Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun did not respond to questions yesterday.

Meatco says in its advert that the “current CEO's” contract is coming to an end and it is looking for a strategic leader to drive and implement strategies developed in line with the Meatco Act and as agreed with the Meatco board.

It says the person should be fearless and confident to make tough calls while being sensitive to the Namibian environment.