Health Director May Face Removal Over Leak of Cholera Outbreak Information
Otjozondjupa regional health director Timotheus Gerbardo is reportedly facing possible removal after confirming cholera cases in Grootfontein to the media before notifying health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao, a move that allegedly triggered disciplinary processes within the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
According to ministry insiders, executive director Penda Ithindi alerted the human resources department to consider disciplinary steps, allegedly following the minister’s displeasure over being informed late about the outbreak. HR officials then outlined two formal options regarding Gerbardo’s possible removal.
Ithindi confirmed that internal disciplinary discussions were held, but denied that Dr Luvindao instructed that Gerbardo be dismissed, saying the issue was centred on adherence to communication protocols. He said sharing information without prior authorisation caused “coordination issues”, but insisted no directive to fire anyone had been issued.
Gerbardo had earlier confirmed cholera cases in Grootfontein’s Kap and Bou informal areas—also known as Blikkiesdorp—on 24 November, a day before the local authority and regional council elections.
The ministry reportedly received its first alert of a suspected cholera case on 18 November. By 24 November, three cases had been confirmed by the Namibia Institute of Pathology, with a total of six suspected cases recorded. All infections were locally transmitted.
Gerbardo indicated that five cases had been detected—two through laboratory confirmation and three via rapid diagnostic tests. He said response teams from Otjiwarongo and Windhoek had been deployed and urged residents to maintain strict hygiene and seek medical care immediately for diarrhoeal symptoms.
Dr Luvindao later declared an official outbreak, noting that even a single locally acquired confirmed case meets the threshold for an outbreak under national health guidelines. Ministry sources claimed she was displeased that the regional director confirmed the cases publicly before notifying her.
Gerbardo acknowledged he was aware of the minister’s frustration, referencing a conference call on 25 November where he says Luvindao instructed Ithindi to begin the process of removing him.
“I was on the call when the minister said I must be removed. The ED was told to start the process because I confirmed the cholera cases,” he said.
However, Ithindi has maintained that the matter was “handled internally” and that no decision to dismiss Gerbardo has been taken. He said reinforcing communication procedures should not be confused with initiating dismissal.
Ithindi added that, under the Public and Environmental Health Act of 2015, regional directors are not authorised to make official public pronouncements on health emergencies.
Gerbardo said he has not received any official correspondence from the ministry since the conference call and will continue in his position until formally informed otherwise. He also said he does not know whether the intention was to remove him from his post entirely or simply transfer him to another region.
Efforts to obtain clarification from the Public Service Commission regarding procedures for disciplining senior civil servants over communication breaches did not receive a response by the time of publication.
