TransNamib’s shocking meltdown

The Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau) has become the latest organisation to hit out at the TransNamib board for alleged interference.

The Paul Smit-led board has been accused of “running the show” and sidelining management by conducting executive business. The union’s attack on the outgoing TransNamib board comes hot on the heels of a weekly newspaper reporting on the bitter standoff between Smit and deputy transport minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa. Confidente reported last week that Sankwasa reprimanded Smit over the alleged abuse of authority. According to the report, Smit reportedly wanted the parastatal to purchase an air ticket for his wife to the United States. He also reportedly wanted board fees increased without approval from the line minister. It appears to us that corporate governance is a serious issue of concern at TransNamib. Unfortunately those tasked with bringing about change and ensuring good governance are failing and are more interested in washing their dirty linen in public. Both the government, as the shareholder, and the board have failed to put a firm hand on the internal wrangling rocking this key parastatal.

This has made it extremely difficult for the incoming board to provide a sense of leadership. It is clear that all is not well at TransNamib at the moment. It is further regrettable that government has failed to invoke its authority to mend this failed relationship. There is now a huge weight of expectation on the incoming board to perform wonders and bring sound and incorruptible leadership to the rail parastatal, which has for too long been a drain on Namibian taxpayers. These endless internal battles do not only pose an ongoing threat to TransNamib, but also do not reflect positively on the country’s image. It is a festering sore to see this level of infighting at state-owned enterprises, and more so when those tasked with ensuring good governance fail at it spectacularly.