Troubled TransNamib GM given time to build defence

TRANSNAMIB’S suspended General Manager of Human Resources, Jason Hamunyela, has another three weeks to prepare his defence after the company finished presenting its case in his disciplinary hearing.

Hamunyela was suspended with full pay more than eight months ago on charges of private dealings and favouritism. His case was heard for five days before it was postponed until September 18 and 19 to give him time to prepare his defence and to call witnesses.The company’s prosecutor, Sisa Namandje, called nine witnesses during the first five days.Hamunyela was suspended with full pay in November to allow for a smooth investigation.The suspension followed a report presented to the TransNamib Board by the Office of the Ombudsman.The Namibian has it on good authority that the report said that the right procedures were not followed in appointing some staff members.In December 2004, The Namibian revealed details of the appointment of a string of people close to Hamunyela and Chief Executive Officer John Shaetonhodi.Late last year a string of letters and secret memos were e-mailed to TransNamib staff.They claimed that Hamun-yela was using company property to conduct private consultancy work and that he had raised his own salary by 43 per cent.Hamunyela’s invoices to the Roads Contractor Company for around N$22 000 for consultancy work were attached to the series of letters and documents.He did a survey for the RCC on the Chief Executive Officer’s salary package.In another case, Hamunyela conducted a disciplinary hearing for the Namibia Tourism Board on behalf of Preferred Labour Solutions (PLS) and used his work computer to bill them.A PLS document found on Hamunyela’s computer indicated that he had “a strategic working relationship” with the company.According to the documents, Hamunyela increased his own salary from N$226 260 a year to N$324 240 in June 2004 – an increase of N$97 980 or 43,3 per cent.The circulated documents demanded that Hamunyela be charged with breach of trust, fraud and disobedience.”How can the company you are working for trust you when you are stealing the company’s time and resources to run a full-fledged business while on their payroll? Specifically a management position,” a memo attached to the documents asked.Two employees, Ben Serogwe, a security officer, and Angus Pym from the information technology department were fired in connection with the letters.They have taken their cases to the Labour Court in Windhoek.His case was heard for five days before it was postponed until September 18 and 19 to give him time to prepare his defence and to call witnesses.The company’s prosecutor, Sisa Namandje, called nine witnesses during the first five days.Hamunyela was suspended with full pay in November to allow for a smooth investigation.The suspension followed a report presented to the TransNamib Board by the Office of the Ombudsman.The Namibian has it on good authority that the report said that the right procedures were not followed in appointing some staff members.In December 2004, The Namibian revealed details of the appointment of a string of people close to Hamunyela and Chief Executive Officer John Shaetonhodi.Late last year a string of letters and secret memos were e-mailed to TransNamib staff.They claimed that Hamun-yela was using company property to conduct private consultancy work and that he had raised his own salary by 43 per cent.Hamunyela’s invoices to the Roads Contractor Company for around N$22 000 for consultancy work were attached to the series of letters and documents.He did a survey for the RCC on the Chief Executive Officer’s salary package.In another case, Hamunyela conducted a disciplinary hearing for the Namibia Tourism Board on behalf of Preferred Labour Solutions (PLS) and used his work computer to bill them.A PLS document found on Hamunyela’s computer indicated that he had “a strategic working relationship” with the company.According to the documents, Hamunyela increased his own salary from N$226 260 a year to N$324 240 in June 2004 – an increase of N$97 980 or 43,3 per cent.The circulated documents demanded that Hamunyela be charged with breach of trust, fraud and disobedience.”How can the company you are working for trust you when you are stealing the company’s time and resources to run a full-fledged business while on their payroll? Specifically a management position,” a memo attached to the documents asked.Two employees, Ben Serogwe, a security officer, and Angus Pym from the information technology department were fired in connection with the letters.They have taken their cases to the Labour Court in Windhoek.