Gibeon Village Council CEO resigns

REHOBOTH, 05 APR – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Gibeon Village Council, Desiree Theunissen resigned from her post on Tuesday, citing an intolerable working environment as reason for her departure.
In her resignation letter, Theunissen said her health and spiritual wellbeing were negatively affected by actions and the attitude of the village council.
The CEO confirmed her resignation to Nampa on Thursday and said she will not divulge much about the move.
In the resignation letter seen by this agency, Theunissen said her name and image has been tarnished for living out her passion and mandate to execute her duties and functions as prescribed by legislation and regulations in the best interest of the Gibeon community and the workforce entrusted to her.
“Considering the hostile environment that I am exposed to since the current council took office under the leadership of Councillor [Anna] Garoës, I am subjected to victimisation, disrespect and undermining my authority, which to me is constructive dismissal and I herewith give notice that my last working day will be on Friday [06 April 2018],” Theunissen wrote.
Contacted for comment, Garoës, who is the chairperson of the Management Committee, confirmed receipt of the resignation letter.
She said Theunissen’s first resignation letter was written on 07 March this year, after which they accepted the resignation during a special council meeting held on 28 March.
“I can confirm receipt of the resignation. We received another letter whereby Theunissen retracted her resignation after eight days. We, as council, decided to accept the voluntary resignation. Although we received the retraction letter, we decided not to accept it, as we wanted to close the chapter and move on,” said Garoës.
The letter of retraction, seen by Nampa, quoted Theunissen as saying she submitted her resignation out of frustration and perhaps prematurely.
“After careful consideration and on request from many community members, I have resolved that my decision was out of frustration and a bit premature. I have reported the issues affecting my working environment to the Permanent Secretary of the [Ministry of Urban and Rural Development] and I believe it is only fair to await the outcome of the ministerial investigation, before I take further action,” it stated.
Garoës noted that Theunissen’s last working day will be Friday.
Meanwhile, Garoës said they further received threats from Theunissen of being taken to the labour court.

NAMPA