Ongwediva
Omusati Regional Governor Erginus Endjala is allegedly driving a government vehicle and apparently does not possess a valid driver’s licence. He has been issued with traffic fines for years, police and court records show.
Endjala – who was issued with the latest of his many reported traffic fines on 11 April – yesterday could not produce evidence of possessing a driver’s licence, but challenged anyone disputing his the existence of his licence to visit his office in Outapi to see it for themselves.
Court records show the governor has paid N$4 000 in traffic fines issued between 2014 and 2015 for being an unauthorised driver on national roads. The said tickets were issued in Outapi and Ogongo respectively.
He now has to pay a further N$1 000 for the ticket issued to him this month at Outapi after he again failed to produce a driver’s licence. This time around the governor was driving his official vehicle, a white Toyota double-cab with registration number GRN 4902.
Police officers claimed Endjala refused to provide his personal details and was consequently issued a ticket, using particulars from the previous tickets issued to him after he failed to produce a licence while driving a Swapo Party vehicle. Endjala is also Swapo’s regional coordinator for Omusati.
In connection with the latest incident, Endjala is expected to either appear in court or pay a fine of N$1 000, or alternatively pay N$500 if he produces his licence, officials say.
Endjala yesterday denied allegations that he does not possess a driver’s licence and also denied knowledge of any traffic fines ever being issued against him.
The governor accused his driver, who is currently on suspension, and some traffic officers of running a smear campaigns against him. He said the driver was suspended two weeks ago for misconduct.
“I remember one day three traffic officers that are working together with my driver stopped me, because the driver told them that he is the only one who has authority to drive that [VIP] car,” Endjala claimed.
“When you are politician you’re a target of everyone. There was a lot of disagreement with my driver that resulted in him being suspended from driving VIP cars,” he said.
New Era understands that Endjala obtained a temporary learners’ driving licence in 2007, which was never renewed after it expired.
“The system at NaTIS shows that the governor never obtained a licence on his name, but only a learner’s driving license that expired long ago,” an official – who preferred anonymity – said yesterday.
Regional Commander of Omusati Police Commissioner Simeon Shidinge said he is not aware of any allegations levelled against Endjala. He said such information has not reached his office.