Renthia Kaimbi
Otjozondjupa regional health director Timotheus Gerbardo is facing possible removal from his position after confirming cholera cases in Grootfontein to the media without first informing health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao.
Sources in the health ministry said disciplinary steps were set in motion after executive director Penda Ithindi allegedly wrote to the human resources department (HR), reportedly on the minister’s instruction.
The HR department then provided two formal options for Gerbardo’s removal.
When contacted, Ithindi confirmed that disciplinary action took place but denied that Luvindao ordered Gerbardo’s removal.
He said the director shared information with the public “without prior authorisation”, which led to internal discussions to ensure proper coordination.
He stressed that no directive was issued to dismiss anyone, but that accountability on communication protocols was necessary.
Gerbardo had confirmed cholera cases in the Kap and Bou informal settlements in Grootfontein’s Blikkiesdorp location.
He disclosed the information to the national broadcaster a day before the local and regional elections on 25 November.
The ministry first received an alert about a suspected case on 18 November.
By 24 November, six suspected cases were recorded, with three confirmed by the Namibia Institute of Pathology. All cases were locally acquired.
Gerbardo told a reporter that five cases had been detected, two through lab tests and three through rapid tests.
He said medical teams from Otjiwarongo and Windhoek had been deployed.
He urged the public to practice good hygiene, seek medical help for diarrhoea and warned that cholera can be deadly.
Luvindao later declared the outbreak, saying even one locally acquired confirmed case meets the criteria for an outbreak.
Sources said she was angered that Gerbardo publicly confirmed the cases before informing her.
Gerbardo told the Windhoek Observer he knew the minister was upset about his communication with the media. He referred to a conference call on 25 November with Luvindao and Ithindi, where the minister allegedly instructed the ED to begin the process to “remove” him.
“I was on the call, and the minister told me herself that I must be removed before instructing the ED to start the process for my removal because I confirmed the five cholera cases in Grootfontein,” he said.
Ithindi said the matter was resolved internally. He denied that the ministry has taken a decision to dismiss Gerbardo.
He explained that reminding a staff member about communication protocols is not the same as dismissal.
He also said the power to make official pronouncements on public health matters does not rest with the regional director under the Public and Environmental Health Act of 2015.
Gerbardo said he has received no formal communication since the conference call.
He said he will continue working until officially notified.
He also said he is unsure whether the minister wanted him removed from his position or transferred from the region.
“I honestly don’t know if I’m being removed from my position or from the region, but the ED was instructed to start the process of my removal. That is the truth, although I have not received formal communication from head office yet,” he said.
The Windhoek Observer sought comment from Public Service Commissioner Saalman Jacobs on the procedures for removing senior officials for breaching communication protocols, but he did not respond by the time of publication.
