Hengari faces suspension

THE Namibia Wildlife Resorts chief executive officer, Zelna Hengari, faces suspension today following a board resolution, The Namibian has established.

Sources say that Hengari will be presented with charges today that will pave the way for her suspension.

According to sources, the charges include failure to submit cash flow statements, insurbodination and communicating directly with the shareholders.

NWR board chairperson, Lea Namoloh, who also has shown interest in the parastatal’s managing director’s job is allegedly behind the move to oust Hengari before the board’s term of office expires at the end of this month.

While serving on the board, Namoloh has unsuccessfully applied for the company’s top job. It has been alleged that Namoloh went as far as writing a letter to the State Owned Enterprises Governance Council (SOEGC), highlighting the sensitive nature of the position and the high professional requirements expected of the candidate.

This is said to have been done in the hope of discouraging the SOEGC from confirming Hengari in the position.

However, Hengari was appointed substantive managing director in 2014 after the controversial departure of her predecessor Tobie Aupindi in 2011 after acting as managing director from 2013.

During Hengari’s tenure as managing director, NWR cut costs and realised profits at some of its establishments.

Service at the different resorts drastically improved and a number of key staff were hired to deliver on this goal while a number of resorts were also revamped and re-opened.

Namoloh yesterday declined to comment.

“I will not respond to any questions as I have no idea what you are talking (suspension) about. This is news to me,” said Namoloh.