Cabinet tells senior Govt officials to avoid political positions

Secretary to the Cabinet George Simataa has reminded senior government officials that they are not allowed to hold leadership positions in political parties.

His circular came after The Namibian reported on senior government officials who hold or are competing for Swapo positions.

Simataa issued a circular on Monday to all executive directors, secretaries of the National Council and National Assembly, deputy auditor general, chief electoral officer, the director general of the Namibia Central Intelligence Services and chief regional officers to make sure they and other staff members adhere to the provisions of the law.

This, he said, is in accordance with the Public Service Act.

The Namibian on Monday reported that the executive director of gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare, Martha Mbombo, and her agriculture, water and land reform counterpart, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, serve as Swapo coordinator and Swapo Party Women’s Council coordinator for the Pionierspark branch, respectively.

Agriculture, water and land reform director Albertina Shilongo serves as Swapo secretary of information for the Windhoek West district, while the deputy executive director of finance and public enterprises, Francois Brand, is said to be Swapo’s chairperson for the Cimbebasia area in the Khomas region.

Brand is currently campaigning to be elected as Swapo’s treasurer for the Windhoek West district on Saturday.

“Executive directors or accounting officers are herewith reminded to sensitise staff members and managers alike on the above provisions and ensure adherence,” Simataa said.

Various opposition leaders have condemned this trend.

United Democratic Front (UDF) parliamentarian Dudu Murorua says executives should adhere to the provisions of the act.

“The Public Service Act specifically states that public servants in management positions should not serve at the same time in any political position, and I believe such people should be exposed so that the necessary legal action can be taken against them,” Murorua said.

Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) president Mike Kavekotora says Swapo is expected to implement laws without fear or favour.

“In the absence of litigation, the parliament must take up this matter and deliberate on it in the form of a motion,” he says.
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula says if his party wins the presidential elections next year, any IPC minister who violates his or her oath of office would be removed from office immediately.

“Such callous disregard for the rule of law would not be tolerated by an IPC president in State House and its prime minister,” he says.

Last week, Swapo’s secretary of legal affairs, Pohamba Shifeta, said senior government staff members who violate the provisions of the act are aware of their public service contractual obligations and are required to act accordingly.

“Their contracts with their employer must have spelled out their rights and obligations unambiguously. And it is their employer . . . which is the competent authority to act if any violation or any act of misconduct has been committed,” he said.

“The party will not have any objection to the employer enforcing such contractual obligations of such individual members of the party,” he said.

Shifeta said every party member has a right to be elected to a position of authority, subject to the restrictions of Section 30 of the Public Service Act.