Double housing benefit troubles Nantu leader

SEVERAL members of the Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu) are up in arms after information was leaked that the Secretary General is getting N$1 700 each month as housing allowance, while staying in the union’s house.

Basilius Haingura confirmed on Wednesday that he was receiving a housing allowance “as it is based on previous experiences” and that the decision was taken by the National Teachers Council (NTC), Nantu’s highest decisionmaking body. The Namibian has seen documents indicating that Haingura collects N$1 700 each month from Nantu coffers in addition to the N$400 housing allowance he gets from Government.He is staying in the Nantu house in Katutura’s Shandumbala area and only pays for water and electricity.The Nantu SG is also accused of appointing his sister-in-law, Adelheid Shirenga, as a cleaner.According to sources, Haingura recommended to the NTC that she be appoined.However, he allegedly did not disclose their relationship.Haingura said some staff members at the office, “including those who came running to you”, recommended that Shirenga be appointed.”When I took it to the NTC, the condition of employment was just whether she meets the requirements and whether the right procedure was followed.You look at the quality of the person and the NTC looked at that and decided to appoint her,” he said.He did not inform the NTC that she was staying at his home.Sources claimed that Shirenga’s salary started at the highest notch instead of a beginner.However, Haingura claimed he did not know about the level of Shirenga’s salary because the issue was dealt with at finance level.”When it was brought to my attention, I immediately changed the situation,” he said.He said some individuals in the union’s head office in Windhoek were whipping up a smear campaign against him.”People should not try and paint other people’s names black …The very same people tried to intimidate me and I even laid a charge against one lady although the Police just laughed at me,” he said.The Namibian has seen documents indicating that Haingura collects N$1 700 each month from Nantu coffers in addition to the N$400 housing allowance he gets from Government.He is staying in the Nantu house in Katutura’s Shandumbala area and only pays for water and electricity.The Nantu SG is also accused of appointing his sister-in-law, Adelheid Shirenga, as a cleaner.According to sources, Haingura recommended to the NTC that she be appoined.However, he allegedly did not disclose their relationship.Haingura said some staff members at the office, “including those who came running to you”, recommended that Shirenga be appointed.”When I took it to the NTC, the condition of employment was just whether she meets the requirements and whether the right procedure was followed.You look at the quality of the person and the NTC looked at that and decided to appoint her,” he said.He did not inform the NTC that she was staying at his home.Sources claimed that Shirenga’s salary started at the highest notch instead of a beginner.However, Haingura claimed he did not know about the level of Shirenga’s salary because the issue was dealt with at finance level.”When it was brought to my attention, I immediately changed the situation,” he said.He said some individuals in the union’s head office in Windhoek were whipping up a smear campaign against him.”People should not try and paint other people’s names black …The very same people tried to intimidate me and I even laid a charge against one lady although the Police just laughed at me,” he said.