MICT deputy director serving as a Swapo official

Ministry of Information and Communication Technology deputy director Elizabeth Kamutuezu has become the latest senior government official serving in a Swapo structure.

Kamutuezu, the deputy director of institutional policy regulation and monitoring in the information ministry, serves as Swapo’s Rocky Crest branch information secretary.

The Public Service Act prevents senior government officials, such as deputy directors, directors, deputy executive directors and executive directors, from holding leadership positions in political parties.

Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Kamutuezu referred the newspaper to the Swapo headquarters.

The Namibian reported on Monday that the executive director in the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, Martha Mbombo, and that of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, serve in Swapo structures.

Agriculture director Albertina Shilongo and Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises deputy executive director Francois Brand also serve in Swapo structures.

Shilongo is contesting to be re-elected as Swapo secretary of information for Windhoek West, while Brand wants to to be elected as Swapo treasurer for Windhoek West this weekend.

Asked whether he will withdraw from the election, Brand told The Namibian yesterday that he is focused on various matters related to his responsibilities and commitments.

“I appreciate your interest in my activities. However, I would like to clarify that as a matter of personal policy, I do not comment on ongoing or speculative matters. This approach allows me to maintain a balanced perspective and ensures that I prioritise the tasks at hand,” Brand said.

“Should there be any official developments or announcements regarding the subject you mentioned, I assure you they will be communicated through the appropriate channels,” he said.

Secretary to Cabinet George Simataa this week reminded senior government officials that they cannot hold leadership positions in political parties.

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

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

This, he said, is in accordance with the Public Service Act, which states that “no staff member shall preside at a public political meeting or draw up or publish any writing or deliver a public speech or make a public statement with the intention to promote or prejudice the interest of any political party or be an office-bearer of whatever designation of a political party”.