By Patience Nyangove
THE Minister of Public Enterprises Leon Jooste says the embattled Meatco, Chief Executive Officer, Advocate Vekuii Rukoro has not done anything to warrant suspension from his job by the parastatal’s board.
Speaking on the back of a Confidente story published last week where the Meatco board had sought permission from Jooste and the Minister of Water and Agriculture, John Mutorwa to suspend Rukoro, over allegations of gross insubordination, unruly behaviour and uttering false statements, Jooste said the suspensions of CEOs at parastatals in the past has done irretrievable damage to public enterprises.
The Meatco board last week could not go ahead with Rukoro’s suspension after it failed to obtain Ministerial approval from Jooste following his directive in February this year that all suspensions of parastatal CEOs have to be approved by the responsible Minister.
“We will not agree to the suspension of the Meatco CEO as per our earlier directive. These suspensions have created enormous damage to the PEs (Public Enterprises) in the past and we will only condone it under extreme circumstances – this particular case does not qualify to be regarded as an extreme circumstance.”
Confidente last week reported that the Meatco board was not happy with Rukoro after he allegedly went ahead with the convening of a Meatco members’ meeting despite a directive by the board and Ministers Mutorwa and Jooste to postpone the event. “I write to you with reference to the above as well as the actions taken by the CEO in spite of the Ministers and board directive and recommendation to postpone the members meeting on the 12th of August 2016…. In any organisation, disciplined behaviour is essential for the well-being of the individual and the successful achievement of the organisation’s objectives. Disciplinary action implies a thorough investigation into each alleged offence, reasonable evidence of guilt and careful consideration of the circumstances of each case before such disciplinary action is taken. Such action should always be prompt, fair and firm. “…In terms of the disciplinary code, the following acts are allegedly committed by the CEO and can be categorised under the following, as cause for institution of disciplinary action against the CEO: refusing to obey a lawful instruction given by a person in authority, insubordination by demeanour, action or word(s), disorderly behaviour, uttering false or fraudulent statements and employees may not disclose confidential information concerning the business of the company to people not in the company’s employ, nor organisation not connected therewith,” the Meatco board’s chairperson Martha Namundjebo- Tilahun wrote in her letter to the two Ministers.