Geingob splurges on politicians

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has increased political office bearers’ water and electricity allowances in a move that will see politicians getting raises as high as 2 800% on their utilities allowances in a space of three years.

Documents seen by The Namibian show that Geingob approved a recommendation that will see politicians hit the jackpot with their water and electricity allowances, which will jump up 29 times in some cases.

The increases took effect this month. The President, vice president, Prime Minister and deputy prime minister will not get the increase because government fully pays for their utility bills.

According to the documents, the allowances for politicians like the Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the National Council will increase from N$270 in 2012 to N$4 630, an increase of 1 615%.

Ministers and presidential advisers will see their utility allowance increase by 1 958% from N$225 in 2012 to N$4 630.

The National Assembly deputy speaker, National Council vice chairperson, deputy ministers and regional governors will all see their water and electricity allowances increase by 2 133%.

National Assembly members and National Council members will see their allowance increase by 2 389%. The leader of the official opposition will not miss the gravy train, getting the highest increase of 2 878%.

The leader of the official opposition used to get N$135 in water and electricity allowances in 2012. That figure has now been increased to N$4 020 effective this month.

DTA president McHenry Venaani, whose party is the official opposition in the National Assembly, yesterday expressed shock when The Namibian approached him for comment.

“Kalunga kange,” he said in Oshiwambo meaning “Oh my God”.

He said he was not aware of the development and warned that President Geingob “must be very careful of creating a political system that is bloated”.

Venaani added that the current situation in the country is painting a picture that the elite are looking after themselves while bleeding the taxpayers.

He also added that this increase should be put into context because it is too high while civil servants receive small salary adjustments.

The recommendations were made by the Public Office-Bearers Remuneration and Benefits Commission.

The last time it made public recommendations was in December 2012.

Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Damaseb chairs the commission and his deputy was First Lady Monica Geingos.

Damaseb yesterday referred The Namibian to the Secretary to Cabinet George Simataa, whom he said was in a meeting and that he would call.

Simataa never called by the time The Namibian went to print.

Presidential adviser on constitutional matters Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, Secretary to Cabinet George Simataa, former Old Mutual managing director Johannes !Gawaxab, Elite Consulting managing director Marc Nel and Safari Hotel managing director Johnnie Hamman were other members of the commission.

Geingos resigned from the commission shortly before her husband took over as President.

Interestingly, President Geingob signed the increase off on 20 October, just a few days before finance minister Calle Schlettwein announced in the National Assembly that government is working on introducing a solidarity tax to be levied on anyone earning above N$79 000 per year which amounts to N$6 500 a month.

With the cost of living in Namibia on the increase, working class families will be left with little left once the tax is enforced. It appears the political elite are readying themselves for the looming electricity and water crisis in the country with utility prices set to increase, at the expense of the masses.

This is the latest instalment of Geingob’s increased spending on politicians. It comes after he formed a larger executive than his predecessor Hifikepunye Pohamba, sending government’s wage bill ballooning, especially for members of the executive who come with expensive perks.

Pohamba had a 27-member Cabinet with 20 deputy ministers while Geingob increased the Cabinet to 30 members with 34 deputy ministers.

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