Rose-Mary Haufiku
It has emerged that it is illegal for any member of the executive to embark in any business activity, the Windhoek Observer can reveal.
Attorney General (AG), Festus Mbandeka, has revealed that the law does not allow all members of the Executive to have any business interests. The AG according to Article 42, section 1 of the Constitution of Namibia that states that “During their tenure of office as members of the Cabinet, Ministers may not take up any other paid employment, engage in activities inconsistent with their positions as Ministers, or expose themselves to any situation which carries with it the risk of a conflict developing between their interests as Ministers and their private interests,” explains that the article applies to both ministers and deputies.“Deputy ministers are part of the executive and therefore subject to the same provisions as Ministers,” Mbandeka states.
Minister of Finance, Iipumbu Shiimi, says it is against the law for a member of Cabinet to have other sources of income. “You can’t do business with yourself, however if the law is violated, they should face the consequences for violating it,” adds he.
The discussion around members of the Executive being involved in other business activities emerged with regard Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Derek Klazen. Klazen said that he had disposed of his 25 percent shares of KKNU Holdings, a fishing company where he had also served as a board director.
Deputy-Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Emma Theofelus, has declared that she is a director at early child development care and she also declared that she is a director at multiple companies.
The Minister of Information and Communications Technology Peya Mushelenga has declared that he owns a business that is on a land of 1 470 square metres.
Mushelenga has previously come under fire while Minister of Urban and Rural Development from 2018 to 2020 for owning rental apartments in Ondangwa.
Deputy- Minister of Urban and Rural Development Natalia /Goagoses owns the Franel Investment cc in Swakopmund and Telne Properties cc a business in Gobabis, through which she bought the Swakopmund municipality building when she served as the Erongo region’s Chief Regional Officer.
Namibia’s Attorney-General (AG), Festus Katuna Mbandeka, told the Windhoek Observer that the article applies to both ministers and deputies.
Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, owns a business land in Outapi of 449 square metres.
The Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, owns a training Institute named Yvonne Dausab Training Institute CC.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula, is a partner at Hifikepunye Pohamba Foundation and Indira Gandhi Health Centre Trust.
The Minister of Public Enterprises, Leon Jooste, has 100 percent share in the companies named Embassy Property 12CC and Embassy Property 23CC
The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, has 100 percent shares in a real estate business of Cocos Plumos CC and 50 percent shares in real estate business of Haus Wilma CC.
The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, is a director at both the Western National Insurance Company and Mbashe Fishing Company.
Sports and Youth Minister, Agnes Tjongarero, decalred T Eight D Investment Holdings-holding Company, Kingdom Enterprises-Manufacturing Company and ABF Fishing (pty) Ltd- Marketing of fish and fish products
Deputy Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hilma Nicanor, owns a portion of 1896 square metre of the Farm Namkali. Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Sylvia Makgone, is a partner at Ramose Investment cc and Silvic Investment cc.
