New Commission appointed to review MPs’ pay

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba yesterday appointed the seven people who will be responsible for determining the salaries and benefits of public office bearers.

This is in line with the Public Office-Bearers (Remuneration and Benefits) Act, which was passed by Parliament last year. The Commission will act independently in a part-time capacity in determining the salaries of both Houses of Parliament and Regional Councils.Confirming the appointments at State House yesterday, Pohamba said they were in line with the principle of transparency which he pledged would become one of the hallmarks of the Namibian Government when he took office last year.He described the appointees as a “formidable team”.Acting Judge of the High Court Simpson Mtambanengwe will serve as Chairperson of the Public Office-Bearers Remuneration and Benefits Commission, while Monica Kalondo, the Managing Director of Stimulus Private Equity, will be his Deputy.Other members are Managing Director of Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTC) Bengt Strenge, Nangula Uuandja of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Managing Director of the Safari Hotel Johnny Hamman, Human Resources specialist Christina Swart-Opperman and George Simataa from the Social Security Commission.”I have taken great care in the identification of commissioners for appointment.I have done this in order to avoid a conflict of interest which is a fundamental principle that aims to achieve good governance,” Pohamba said.Pohamba added that he had appointed Mtambanengwe as Chairperson because of his standing as a jurist of high repute and integrity.Kalondo’s appointment was in line with the principle of gender equality, he said.The main functions of the commission will be to investigate and consider any matter related to the remuneration and benefits of public office bearers and may, after consultation with the Finance Minister, make recommendations to the President for consideration.The commission may also conduct or commission research on remuneration, and has the right to obtain information from any public body or institution.The decision to establish the commission follows a resolution in the National Assembly in 2002 that Cabinet should establish a commission to review the conditions of service of political office bearers.The Commission will act independently in a part-time capacity in determining the salaries of both Houses of Parliament and Regional Councils.Confirming the appointments at State House yesterday, Pohamba said they were in line with the principle of transparency which he pledged would become one of the hallmarks of the Namibian Government when he took office last year.He described the appointees as a “formidable team”.Acting Judge of the High Court Simpson Mtambanengwe will serve as Chairperson of the Public Office-Bearers Remuneration and Benefits Commission, while Monica Kalondo, the Managing Director of Stimulus Private Equity, will be his Deputy.Other members are Managing Director of Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTC) Bengt Strenge, Nangula Uuandja of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Managing Director of the Safari Hotel Johnny Hamman, Human Resources specialist Christina Swart-Opperman and George Simataa from the Social Security Commission.”I have taken great care in the identification of commissioners for appointment.I have done this in order to avoid a conflict of interest which is a fundamental principle that aims to achieve good governance,” Pohamba said.Pohamba added that he had appointed Mtambanengwe as Chairperson because of his standing as a jurist of high repute and integrity.Kalondo’s appointment was in line with the principle of gender equality, he said.The main functions of the commission will be to investigate and consider any matter related to the remuneration and benefits of public office bearers and may, after consultation with the Finance Minister, make recommendations to the President for consideration.The commission may also conduct or commission research on remuneration, and has the right to obtain information from any public body or institution.The decision to establish the commission follows a resolution in the National Assembly in 2002 that Cabinet should establish a commission to review the conditions of service of political office bearers.