Mansions for presidents on chopping block

Nandi-Ndaitwah leans towards slashing practice

State House is currently reviewing the law that grants perks to former presidents, such as state-funded mansions, amid speculation that president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah wants to end the practice.

People familiar with her thinking say the president opposes the allocation of state-funded mansions to former presidents and favours accepting a portion of the benefits to build her own retirement home instead.

The ongoing review of the Former Presidents’ Pension and Other Benefits Act will also consider broadening the benefits to vice presidents.

While much of the public debate has centred on the N$152 million spent on mansions for four former presidents, questions have also been raised about the allocation of office space for retired heads of state.

Upon retirement, former president Hifikepunye Pohamba was allocated an office opposite Windhoek High School.

This was in addition to his N$35-million retirement house in Auasblick. Later, senior government officials promised to find suitable office space to rent for former president Hage Geingob for his retirement office.

The Namibian understands that the government suggested that former president Nangolo Mbumba use Pohamba’s retirement office in Windhoek on the basis that the country’s second president is hardly ever in the capital.

MANSIONS UNDER REVIEW

Although State House spokesperson Jonas Mbambo declined to comment on the president’s alleged reservations about the mansions for former heads of state this week, he confirmed that a bill is under review to reassess the benefits of retired presidents and vice presidents.

“The bill remains at the technical committee level and has not yet been submitted to the president for her consideration or input. While the president may have considerations on the matter, these will only become known once the bill is formally submitted to her and subsequently to Cabinet for deliberation,” he said.

Mbambo said the bill could include extending benefits to former vice presidents.

“One of the key issues under review relates to the inclusion of the Office of the Vice President, which is currently not covered under the existing framework, as this office was not in existence when the original legislation was enacted in 2004,” he said.

The spokesperson said the bill may be submitted to the National Assembly this year.

A draft bill meant to reduce benefits was being considered by Geingob, but it was never tabled in parliament.

‘FROM PRIVILEGE TO LUXURY’

Political commentator Henning Melber says it may be justified to discuss whether assets such as houses are in private possession after a former president’s death or whether they belong to the state.

“The bottom line should be that retired presidents and their family can make a decent living already based on the continued pension alone. All other extras elevate the privileged lifestyle to a luxurious one,” he says.

Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah says he believes retirement benefits for former presidents should be reviewed in line with Namibia’s current economic situation.

“The existing benefits are too generous when compared to the hardships many ordinary Namibians face every day.

It’s only fair that former presidents’ benefits reflect restraint and responsibility,” he says. Kamwanyah recommends that benefits be reduced to a reasonable, fixed pension in line with senior public servants’ pensions.

“Luxury perks should be reconsidered,” he says.

Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of international relations Rodney Cloete says state-funded residences should remain state property. “No more building fresh mansions for each new retiree while a million Namibians live in kambashus,” he says.

VICE PRESIDENTIAL PERKS

Vice presidents’ benefits are governed by the Presidential Remuneration and Other Benefits Act of 2016, which provides for the salary of the vice president, allowances to spouses, medical aid, and exemption from income tax.

There is no mention in the act of funding private residences.

Nevertheless, Mbumba, who served as vice president from 2018 until he became the president in 2024, had his private farm renovated with government funds.

The Namibian reported in 2022 that the second phase of renovations to Mbumba’s Waterberg farm cost taxpayers N$660 000.

It was unclear at the time what the total cost of renovations to the farm would be.

In 2019, the presidential affairs minister Martin Andjaba confirmed that the government was also paying for the accommodation of former vice president Nickey Iyambo. This was despite the fact that no law provided for such benefits.

An elevator installed at his private house caused controversy in 2019 after it was revealed that the cost was N$1 million and had not been authorised.

Upon his retirement as president, Mbumba also received N$38 million for a new Windhoek residence, in line with the benefits provided to former presidents.

Geingob received N$32 million to renovate his Swakopmund property, with Pohamba receiving N$35 million and Nujoma N$43 million for their Windhoek residences.

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