TransNamib chief executive officer Desmond van Jaarsveld is at the centre of a court dispute with company executive Alynsia Platt. Platt has challenged the appointment of Specialised Investigation Consultancy Services (SICS), which was awarded a N$500 000 contract to conduct a forensic investigation that resulted in eight disciplinary charges against her. Van Jaarsveld has opposed Platt's court application, but board chairperson Esther McLeod stated she was not aware of Platt's recent court challenge and that Van Jaarsveld opted to oppose the court application without consulting the board.
The dispute centres on the appointment of SICS and the subsequent forensic investigation. According to court documents, SICS signed a Statement of Work on 21 July 2025, submitted an interim report on 11 September 2025, and completed its final report on 1 December 2025. However, the formal Notice of Award of Procurement Contract, valued at N$500 000, was issued on 29 April 2026, signed by Van Jaarsveld on 30 April, and acknowledged by SICS on 5 May 2026. Platt argues that the investigation was conducted and completed before the formal procurement award was issued.
Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi confirmed that the TransNamib board of directors, although cited as the second respondents in the matter, was not consulted about Van Jaarsveld's decision to oppose the application. Nekundi stated that should the court rule against TransNamib, Van Jaarsveld would be held accountable for the legal costs incurred in opposing the application. Platt is seeking an order directing any respondent opposing her application to pay the legal costs of the proceedings.
Van Jaarsveld has opposed the application in his capacity as TransNamib's accounting officer. In his answering affidavit, Van Jaarsveld confirms that the board resolved to appoint a forensic investigator and that he signed the engagement documents with SICS on 21 July 2025. He disputes Platt's argument that the procurement was unlawful, saying the notice of award issued in April 2026 was a subsequent notification contemplated under section 55(8) of the Public Procurement Act.
The investigation concerned alleged irregularities involving the lease and disposal of two TransNamib properties, Erf 353 in Lüderitz and Erf 439 in Windhoek, as well as alleged undisclosed private business interests. The report forms the basis of eight disciplinary charges against Platt, including gross negligence, failure to comply with procedures, and conflict of interest. Platt maintains that the investigation report should not be used against her if the process through which it was obtained was unlawful.
Van Jaarsveld has also objected to the application on procedural grounds, arguing that SICS has a direct and substantial interest in the outcome but has not been cited as a party. He is asking the High Court to dismiss Platt's application with costs or, alternatively, limit the retrospective consequences of any order setting aside the appointment. Van Jaarsveld told the Windhoek Observer that the board was informed about his decision to oppose the application.
The High Court is yet to determine the application. Platt's legal challenge follows a ruling by disciplinary hearing chairperson Raywood Rukoro, who dismissed her application for disclosure of procurement documents and ruled that the legality of SICS's appointment was not relevant to determining the disciplinary charges.
Key points
- TransNamib CEO Desmond van Jaarsveld accused of opposing court application without consulting board
- Dispute centres on appointment of Specialised Investigation Consultancy Services
- High Court is yet to determine the application
