Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibian Manufacturers’ Association (NMA) has dismissed its chief executive officer, Ronnie Varkevisser, due to suspected financial misconduct involving N$1,7 million.
NMA chairperson Brian Black last month confirmed this to The Namibian, adding that the organisation is now under voluntary liquidation.
“The case is sub judice. The police are investigating him. It is a criminal case. His contract was terminated because of dishonesty. It was terminated towards the end of last year. I can confirm that we reported him to the police,” Black said.
The association, which represents Namibian manufacturers, has more than 140 members, including prominent companies such as Namib Mills, Meatco and Namibia Breweries.
Black said the association is concerned about its future.
“All I can confirm at this stage is that due to his action the NMA is currently under voluntary liquidation as our liabilities exceed assets. Thus, unfortunately, I am not at liberty to say more than this at this stage.”
Black said Varkevisser has not been replaced yet.
“We don’t have a replacement at the moment. We don’t have money now because of what he did, and we are worried about the future of the NMA,” Black claimed.
Varkevisser told The Namibian yesterday he needed time to prove that the allegations against him are not true.
“I am doing my own investigation, because a lot of things do not make sense to me. I have a letter that says my contract is terminated. I had to leave in a hurry, and they did not give me time,” he said.
“I had to hand in the work laptop and all that, so I can’t even show you the letter. I need time to prove things regarding the allegations. There’s a lot of things that I’m told of which I’m really in the dark about.”
Warrant officer Tobias Kashawa, who is handling the case at the police’s commercial crime investigation division, said investigations are ongoing.
“I can confirm that the matter was reported to us. Our investigation is not completed yet. The suspect made payments from the association to his own bank account.
“The amount stands at N$1,7 million,” Kashawa said on Monday.
Part of the money Varkevisser is accused of defrauding the association with includes around N$171 000 the association received from donors.
Executive director of trade and industry Sikongo Haihambo yesterday confirmed that the association’s board reported the matter to the ministry through a meeting.
“Unfortunately I was not part of the meeting, but I can confirm the association reported it to us,” he said.
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