Katima Mulilo
Secretary to Cabinet George Simataa says the declaration of private interests and remunerative work outside employment in the public service is not meant to be a punitive measure, but rather a tool to enhance transparency in the public sector.
Business and asset declarations will counter possible conflict of interest, he said.
Simataa, who spoke in Katima Mulilo last week Thursday at the invitation of the Zambezi Regional Council to deliver a motivational talk to senior civil servants, noted that the measure would exonerate civil servants who are perceived to be corrupt by their merely engaging in private business.
“We want to know how many shares you have and in which company so that when we see the money come into your account one day, even the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will not ask you where the money comes from because we know you have shares. This is not meant to catch you, it’s meant to free you,” said Simataa.
The declaration of private interests and remunerative work outside employment is part of the amendments being made to the public service Act aimed at enhancing transparency in government service. Civil servants are expected to complete declaration forms by the end of this month.
Simataa urged civil servants to follow the example set by President Hage Geingob who declared his assets recently, adding that approval for private business would only be granted after it has been considered and found not to constitute any conflict of interest.
“Many of you have small contracting companies here. It will not be like it used to be in the past. Approval will only be granted after consideration of what constitutes conflict of interest. You have seen the president declaring his own assets, what prevents you from doing the same?” Simataa asked.
He noted that even though a law on the declaration of assets has not been promulgated yet, the law mandates the prime minister to issue a regulation as an interim measure. “It’s not a matter of saying I don’t want to declare. It’s a law. The new Public Service Act of 2015 speaks of mandatory declaration. But even in the absence of the law the old law allows the prime minister to issue a regulation in that regard and she has already done this,” said Simataa.
Simataa further spoke at length about the ingredients for effective service delivery, citing the example of Jews who constitute a small percentage of the American population but yet are successful due to what he says is their culture of hard work and the ability to seize business opportunities.
“Unless you have a strategic plan in your life, there’s no way you will make the strategic plan of government work. Are Namibians not able to emulate the success of Jews? What do you have as a mission and vision in your life?” asked Simataa.
Simataa said he was disturbed by the growing trend among civil servants in the Zambezi, of lacking customer care and courtesy. “It’s not about how many files you have attended to, it’s about customer satisfaction. I have heard reports that many people opt to stay home because of fear of being disrespected at our offices. This tendency is wrong and should stop,” cautioned Simataa.