Justicia Shipena
Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) project officer Verna Tjivera has resigned after accusing senior management of sexual harassment, bullying and forcing her into constructive dismissal.
In a letter dated 1 December 2025, seen by the Windhoek Observer and written by her lawyer Richard Metcalfe to acting chief executive officer Edward Shivute of WBCG, Tjivera detailed her allegations.
She said she faced sexual harassment and “disgusting chauvinistic behaviour” from former CEO Hippy Tjivikua and logistics manager Gilbert Boois, creating an “odious toxic environment” that made it impossible for her to work.
Tjivera said she first raised a formal grievance in November 2024.
According to her lawyer, the board placed her on paid leave and appointed law firm Köpplinger, Boltman, Van Greunen Legal Practitioners to investigate. She was interviewed in March 2025.
Her lawyers said she expected the probe to end within a reasonable time and believed she would return to complete her contract once the matter was finalised.
Tjivera said for more than a year, she received no outcome. A letter from investigators on 12 September 2025 said the report was being finalised.
Her lawyers asked for updates again in November but received none.
On 30 November 2025, Shivute told her to clarify within 48 hours whether she was still employed or had resigned.
Her lawyers called the notice “stupefying”, saying she had taken part in the investigation and had never been told to return to work.
They said WBCG had instructed her to stay away until the investigation was complete.
Metcalfe wrote that she could not return to work “with sexual predators” and that the company’s “blasé denial” of constructive dismissal left her no choice but to resign.
She then tendered 30 days’ notice effective 1 December 2025 and plans to pursue civil and criminal action.
“The matter can be decided by a proper court of law. Civil and criminal litigation will ensue. All of our client’s rights are reserved.”
Meanwhile, WBCG rejected her allegations.
On Friday, its lawyers at Tjitemisa & Associates said her [Tjivera’s] resignation was made voluntarily and not for any constructive dismissal reasons, and the company accepts it as such.
They said Tjivikua and Boois were cleared by the investigation and that the findings were shared with her on 24 November 2025.
WBCG disputes that she was told to stay away, saying she did not report for duty for more than 12 months while receiving her full salary.
Its lawyers say she chose not to return to work and that the company may seek to recover payments made to her. They wrote that the Walvis Bay Corridor Group will vigorously defend itself against any legal action and that its rights “remain entirely reserved”.
An independent disciplinary investigation, reported last week by the Windhoek Observer, found no evidence to support her allegations.
Investigators found contradictions in her statements, limited corroboration and no formal complaints to the company or police.
Her allegations included being pressured to call the former CEO “Tate,” being told to write a report criticising Boois, and being removed from a trip to Japan. She also accused Tjivikua of inappropriate touching in Swakopmund, and she claimed Boois made sexual comments, knocked on her hotel door at night and told others she refused to sleep with him.
Investigators also found misunderstandings at a year-end function but noted apologies were exchanged. They found no intent to victimise her through reception or kitchen tasks.
