NCCI on its knees as Doeseb demands CEO’s resignation

By Jade McClune

THE Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) is buckling at the knees as the simmering conflict between branch leaders and the national executive continues to escalate, with the latest allegations pointing to fraud, rampant illegality, bullying and incompetence.

With reports of around N$3 million unaccounted for by the NCCI head office, NCCI members are now demanding to know the reason for the repeated postponement of the NCCI annual general meeting. Some say the AGM cannot be held because NCCI officials are unable to provide audited statements and prominent members are now calling for the resignation of the CEO, Charity Mwiya.

Sources familiar with the inner workings of the Chamber said in terms of the NCCI constitution, the current board’s term in office has expired. The new board had to be elected at the 2018 AGM, which they say did not take place last year, thus rendering all subsequent decisions of the board null and void.

Confidente sought answers from NCCI, but was unable to obtain an official response. However, leaked internal correspondence offers a glimpse into the issues at play.

In a scathing six-page memo on 11 October 2018, president of the Walvis Bay NCCI branch Johnny Doeseb listed the main problems they encountered and said NCCI head office had disrupted operations at branch level, leading to loss of income, loss of jobs by branch employees, loss of members and reputational damage.

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