Commissioners old, but not cold

TOO old or not too old? That was the question facing the National Assembly yesterday when MPs were asked to renew the term of Public Service Commissioner Festus Muundjua.

On a motion by Deputy Prime Minister Libertina Amathila that Muundjua, Chairman Joe Ithana and Aaron Shihepo be granted another five-year term on the Commission, founding Prime Minister Hage Geingob called for consistency in making appointments. Geingob told the House that just short of five years ago, he had proposed the same people for these posts, and he was heavily criticised for nominating Muundjua.He said MPs claimed Muundjua had already retired and was “too old” for the post.At the time, Geingob said the nominees to the posts had the collective experience of 185 years.Now, he said, this figure had increased to 200 years.”Has Honourable Muundjua become younger now?” he asked the House, quick to point out that age did not matter to him.Congress of Democrats MP Nora Schimming-Chase asked Geingob to consider whether Muundjua’s move from being a member of Swanu to Swapo had possibly played a role in his first nomination.CoD President Ben Ulenga said he supported the nominations, quoting the old adage “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”.”These names have been around for years.The reason they have come up again is because they are doing a good job,” he maintained, but wanted to know whether there was an age limit for Public Service Commissioners.Justice Minister and Attorney General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana told MPs that the issue of age was irrelevant in deciding on confirming the nominations, as it was not a criterion in terms of appointing commissioners.Public Service Commissioners are appointed in terms of the Constitution and not the Public Service Act.”They [the commissioners] are considered political office-bearers like you and me.They serve five years and go back to ask for a further mandate.People don’t ask us [MPs] how old we are.They look at our mandate,” she said.In response, Amathila said the appointment of Muundjua flew in the face of critics who maintained that only Swapo members were appointed to senior Government positions.”We have proved that we appoint any person that is competent,” she said.She said the nomination of the three was based on their excellent work and performance to date.The House then agreed to the appointments.Geingob told the House that just short of five years ago, he had proposed the same people for these posts, and he was heavily criticised for nominating Muundjua.He said MPs claimed Muundjua had already retired and was “too old” for the post.At the time, Geingob said the nominees to the posts had the collective experience of 185 years.Now, he said, this figure had increased to 200 years.”Has Honourable Muundjua become younger now?” he asked the House, quick to point out that age did not matter to him.Congress of Democrats MP Nora Schimming-Chase asked Geingob to consider whether Muundjua’s move from being a member of Swanu to Swapo had possibly played a role in his first nomination.CoD President Ben Ulenga said he supported the nominations, quoting the old adage “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”.”These names have been around for years.The reason they have come up again is because they are doing a good job,” he maintained, but wanted to know whether there was an age limit for Public Service Commissioners.Justice Minister and Attorney General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana told MPs that the issue of age was irrelevant in deciding on confirming the nominations, as it was not a criterion in terms of appointing commissioners.Public Service Commissioners are appointed in terms of the Constitution and not the Public Service Act.”They [the commissioners] are considered political office-bearers like you and me.They serve five years and go back to ask for a further mandate.People don’t ask us [MPs] how old we are.They look at our mandate,” she said.In response, Amathila said the appointment of Muundjua flew in the face of critics who maintained that only Swapo members were appointed to senior Government positions.”We have proved that we appoint any person that is competent,” she said.She said the nomination of the three was based on their excellent work and performance to date.The House then agreed to the appointments.