Geingob millionaire story offends Kapofi

PRESIDENTIAL affairs’ minister Frans Kapofi has described ‘s story on President Hage Geingob’s salary as unfair and written to portray the head of state in a bad light.

The article titled ‘Geingob Hits Pay Dirt’ which was published last Thursday said “Millionaire President Hage Geingob is set to earn N$350 000 (15%) more than his predecessor Hifikepunye Pohamba, a year after taking over the top seat in government”.

Kapofi issued a statement in the National Assembly last week, criticising the report, even though he did not dispute any fact in the report.

Geingob is worth over N$56 million, and is considered a multi-millionaire.

“When references such as ‘millionaire President’ are made in the same breath as the Bill on presidential remuneration, an impression is created that the President benefits unduly from the State,” he stated.

Kapofi added that it is not fair nor correct for the newspaper to foster such a mistaken view, adding that The Namibian even tried to show discrepancies between Geingob’s salary and that of former President Pohamba.

“This attempt is mischievous and disingenuous by reason of context alone. I urge the newspaper to desist from making any effort to drive an artificial wedge between Namibian leaders, former and current. This kind of reporting makes one shudder,” he added.

According to him, the article casts aspersions on the holder of the highest office in the land.

Kapofi, whose job includes defending the Presidency, said ‘the nation’ expects the media to be a full and constructive partner, working hand-in-hand with government to build a common Namibian house by objectively informing and educating the public about issues of national interest.

The government has been secretive about the exact figures of how much the President earns, and instead uses percentage differences between the head of state and the Prime Minister or vice president to inform the public.

The Public Office-Bearers’ Remuneration and Benefits Commission (POBC) has since 2014 ignored requests by this newspaper to get updated figures of how much politicians earn. This has forced the media to use old statistics to calculate salaries of politicians, including that of the President.

The government is committed to transparency, Kapofi insisted. “There is nothing to hide about the salary and benefits payable to the President, the vice president and the Prime Minister,” he added.

Kapofi also spoke about the headline ‘”Geingob Hits Pay Dirt,”. He questioned its purpose, and whether it is deliberately designed to portray the President in a negative light to tarnish his name and reputation.

“Where is the journalistic ethic of reporting objectively and without bias? Where is the respect that must be given to the holder of the office of the President of our republic? The newspaper owes the Namibian people an explanation,” he noted.

The minister said it is sad when a newspaper uses its position to ‘denigrate our national leaders’ and treat them with contempt and disrespect.

“We expect better from journalists. We expect basic decency, fairness and professionalism from them. This is what they have signed up for in the media code of ethics, which states among others that every journalist shall strive to report news and events accurately, fairly and with balance,” he said, adding that the code of ethics also obliges journalists to give due regard to the possible negative effects to the subject of the article or broadcast.

The Namibian reported that President Geingob will get a tax-free annual salary of N$1,5 million, but that amount could go as high as N$4 million per year if he travels like he did last year since he qualified for N$2,4 million in travelling allowances in 2015.

Geingob and the vice president almost have everything catered for free by the State: from accommodation, vehicles, water, electricity and clothing, among their many perks.

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