Allexer Namundjebo
The director of the National Youth Council (NYC), Calista Schwartz-Gowases, has denied reports that she was placed on forced leave, calling the claims false and baseless.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Schwartz-Gowases said she continues to carry out her duties as director without disruption.
“I remain in full service, report for duty daily and continue to execute my mandate as Director of the National Youth Council,” she said.
She asserted that there was no formal directive or legal foundation for placing her on involuntary leave.
“These fabrications serve no purpose other than to spread politically motivated misinformation,” she added.
Schwartz-Gowases also pointed to the ongoing investigation into the continued provision of MTC-linked services to former NYC director Sharonice Busch after her resignation.
“It came to my attention that her MTC-linked services continue, notwithstanding the council’s prior written instructions to MTC to terminate these services following her resignation,” she said.
She said there was no authorisation for these benefits to continue and confirmed that they were only terminated last month.
“The matter is currently under investigation. Busch is also advised to refrain from public commentary on this issue and to await the formal outcome of the investigations,” she said.
A week ago, media reports indicated that Schwartz-Gowases demanded N$180,000 in legal costs and a formal letter from the NYC board clearing her name.
In March 2024, a chaotic NYC Representative Council meeting in Ondangwa led to her suspension due to infighting.
She claimed the incident, which included a near-physical altercation with Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) representative Vakamuina Kamutuezu, was triggered by her alleged failure to provide meeting minutes.
Before this, she and then-executive chairperson Busch had clashed over leadership roles, with each accusing the other of overstepping authority.
In a letter dated 23 May, addressed to interim NYC executive chairperson Beverly Silas-Garas and copied to youth minister Sanet Steenkamp and deputy minister Dino Ballotti, Schwartz-Gowases described a 12-month ordeal of reputational harm, psychological trauma, and financial loss.
She said systemic problems at the council remained unresolved.
“More importantly, the systemic issues of mismanagement, maladministration, and institutional dysfunction at the council remain unaddressed,” she said, referencing two letters she sent to former youth minister Agnes Tjongarero in late 2023.
She said she had spent nearly N$180,000 on legal costs.
She had raised concerns over the alleged irregular procurement of legal services, naming Sisa Namandje & Associates, which she claimed was paid N$650,000 without following proper procedures.
She accused the finance manager, whose grievance reportedly triggered her suspension, of selectively enforcing procurement rules.
Schwartz-Gowases also criticised the findings of an investigative committee appointed by the ministry in 2023.
She said the report lacked objectivity and failed to address key issues.
“Regrettably, the committee’s report failed to engage with the substance of the concerns raised and reflected a troubling bias,” she said.
