Renthia Kaimbi
Chief executive officer of the Otjiwarongo municipality, Mberipura Hifitikeko is facing allegations of unlawfully receiving a housing allowance while simultaneously residing in a council-owned property, a practice that violates government policy and may constitute a criminal offence under Namibian law.
The “double-dipping” practice is expressly forbidden by government housing policy, which prohibits any individual from receiving a housing subsidy while occupying a state-owned house.
Under the council’s staff regulations on housing benefits, every staff member is entitled to a housing allowance only if they own and occupy a house or lease and occupy a house, unless that staff member occupies accommodation provided by the council.
Employees typically receive a housing allowance equal to 15% of their basic monthly salary, while CEOs usually receive a higher allowance of 30% of their basic monthly salary.
The rules further stipulate that a staff member who resides in council-provided accommodation must pay either 2% or 4% of their basic monthly salary to the council, depending on whether the residence has air-conditioning, and must also cover their own water and electricity costs.
Crucially, the regulation makes clear that the housing allowance and council-provided accommodation are mutually exclusive options, meaning an employee cannot lawfully benefit from both simultaneously.
While specific sections of the Local Authorities Act, Act 23 of 1992, as amended, govern the conduct of council officials, recent statements from the national government have confirmed the illegality of the practice.
When contacted for comment on Tuesday, Hifitikeko, who has been at the helm of the municipality since his appointment in June 2024, told the Windhoek Observer he would refer questions about whether he resides in a council-owned property to the Human Resources department.
The town’s mayor Leonard Simushi stated that he was unaware of the allegations against the CEO.
“If indeed it is the case, I will take the matter up and resolve that Hifitikeko chooses between the two options as soon as possible,” said Simushi.
“I depend on the report from the CEO. My job is not these witch-hunts, my job is to do my job. I don’t follow everyone home to know where they are staying,” Simushi added.
Simushi further stated that the Human Resources executive also denied knowing where the CEO resides.
“HR said she doesn’t know where the CEO is staying as she has only been employed for over six months but I will look into the matter,” he told the Windhoek Observer.
The mayor’s response suggests that the municipality was not officially aware of the practice, and that upon investigation, the matter will be addressed internally to ensure compliance.
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi recently warned civil servants against this exact practice, stating that it violates government policy and that eviction proceedings commence immediately for any official found to be double-dipping.
The minister further noted that economic rent can be imposed and deducted through respective ministries’ human resources departments.
The standard remuneration packages for chief executive officers in local authorities typically include either a housing allowance or a housing subsidy, but not both, and such benefits are contingent upon specific criteria, such as owning a house or not.
Simushi’s proposed resolution would require Hifitikeko to forfeit either the housing allowance or vacate the council-provided residence in order to comply with the law.
