Zorena Jantze
THE ministry of Public Enterprises will re-advertise the vacancy for the Chief Executive Officer of Fishcor, a state entity implicated in the ongoing widespread corruption case known as Fishrot, after 63 candidates did not meet standards required for the post.
The position of CEO became vacant in 2019 when the former head of the parastatal, Mike Nghipunya, was arrested along with six others for his alleged involvement in corrupt activities.
Public Enterprise ministry spokesperson, Jonathan Swartz, noted that certain legal complications needed to be overcome before the position could finally be advertised in November 2020.
A total of 63 applicants responded to the public advertisement and 10 candidates were shortlisted and requested to partake in a psychometric test by an independent industrial psychologist.
Following these tests, five candidates were selected based on the outcome and these individuals were invited to attend an interview on 23 April 2021.
The full report was submitted to the Minister of Public Enterprises on 5 May 2021, whereafter the ministry conducted a due diligence process.
Swartz, however, stated that following the due diligence and considering the crucial importance of filling the position with a person that presents the most preferred profile, the Ministry of Public Enterprises and the Fishcor Board consulted on Friday, 2 July 2021, and concluded that none of the candidates had presented such and it will be in the best interest of the company to re-advertise the position.
“The Ministry further wants to make it clear that Director Ruth Herunga has not applied for the position during the first round and also that she will not be eligible to do so during the second round due to the fact that she is a sitting Board member of the company. Due to the existing leadership vacuum in the company, the Board requested her to act as Caretaker CEO until a suitable replacement is identified and we want to thank her for her commitment and diligence in executing this function where evident stability has been brought about in the company,” Swartz concluded.
