Former ambassador Pius Dunaiski has called on president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to voluntarily explain her attempt to acquire prime municipal land at Auasblick, saying transparency is needed to protect public confidence.
Dunaiski took to his social media on Monday, saying the controversy surrounding the land application deserved calm scrutiny rather than political sensationalism.
The Namibian recently reported that the president, in her private capacity, applied to acquire six municipal erven totalling about 1.8 hectares, comprising three residential and three business-zoned properties.
The first application, submitted in May, sought about 8 000 square metres, while a subsequent application substantially expanded the request.
The applications followed the 30 April security breach at State House, which Dunaiski describes as a genuine and serious security failure.
He, however, says the security concerns did not answer fundamental questions about the extent and intended use of the land.
“Why does presidential security require such a substantial tract of prime municipal land?” Dunaiski asks.
He says clarity is needed on what would be built on the consolidated property, whether it is intended as a security buffer, presidential residence or retirement accommodation, and on who would ultimately own, develop and finance it.
“These are not accusations. They are reasonable questions in a constitutional democracy,” he says.
The City of Windhoek has since withdrawn land matters from its agenda amid councillors’ calls for legal clarity and greater transparency.
Dunaiski says the president should use the opportunity to explain the rationale behind the application and dispel speculation about political privilege, hidden commercial interests or future property development.
“Namibians deserve to know,” he says.
