Landless People’s Movement second-in-command Henny Seibeb has questioned the alleged continued deployment of senior government and parastatal executives in Swapo’s top structures.
This trend, he claims, continues despite secretary to Cabinet George Simataa reminding senior government officials in August this year that they cannot hold leadership positions in political parties.
Simataa’s directive at the time was to all executive directors, secretaries of the National Council and National Assembly, the director general of the Namibia Central Intelligence Services, as well as chief regional officers.
“Executive directors or accounting officers are herewith reminded to sensitise staff members and managers alike on the above provisions and ensure adherence,” Simataa was quoted.
This directive has seemingly fallen on deaf ears, said the LPM firebrand in the National Assembly last week while asking a series of questions to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
The prime minister is expected to respond this Thursday.
“There have been reports circulating, and we are informed on good grounds that some senior key life-threatening decision-making civil servants are campaigning and serving in Swapo political structures without any authorisation from secretary to Cabinet George Simataa,” Seibeb claimed.
To add meat to his assertions, he drew the premier’s attention to government directors in various ministries, such as Elizabeth Kamutuezu, Martha Mbombo and Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, as some examples.
He then moved to tourism executive director Teofilus Nghitila and Environmental Investment Fund CEO Benedict Libanda, who serve in the Swapo Think Tank.
“No wonder landless Namibians are unable to secure resettlement farms, as these farms are allocated based on political affiliation,” Seibeb said.
At the heart of his submission to Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is whether Simataa’s circular has been heeded.
“Could you please confirm whether the circular distributed by the secretary to Cabinet on 14 August 2023, discouraging senior government officials from participating in political party activities, is being strictly adhered to by all government officials?” Seibeb asked the government’s business leader in the National Assembly.
He also wanted to know if Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has “taken steps to follow up and verify with the secretary of Cabinet and Swapo secretary general [Sophia Shaningwa] whether the individuals mentioned, such as Elizabeth Kamutuezu, Martha Mbombo, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, Albertina Shilongo and Francois Brand, have indeed been elected to serve actively within Swapo structures?”
Next on Seibeb’s menu was addressing what he termed ‘unprofessional trends’.
“If you have not yet conducted these verifications; what steps do you intend to take to curtail this concerning trend of senior civil servants actively participating in political party activities?” the politician wanted to know, before moving to productivity.
“Is the Office of the Prime Minister planning to conduct research or surveys to assess whether senior civil servants who are actively involved in the ruling party’s activities are maintaining their productivity within the public service?” he asked.
He went on to suggest that insider trading may be rife due to the blurred lines between politicians and technocrats.
“There is a possibility that some senior civil servants may have access to sensitive government information and could share it as policy proposals with the ruling party. Have any instances of such misconduct been identified, leading to disciplinary actions?” he further probed.