The appointment of Rachel Nathaniel-Koch as proposed chairperson of the Land Tribunal has been withdrawn.
Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani says the decision was taken to protect the integrity of the appointment process, and not because of allegations against Nathaniel-Koch.
“My withdrawal of that candidate is not an admission of the allegations made against the candidate.
“Allegations remain allegations and we must be careful not to cast accusations against people not in the assembly,” Zaamwani says.
She says she had conducted due diligence following allegations raised by Independent Patriots for Change member Rodney Cloete in March, but had not found evidence substantiating the claims.
Cloete had alleged that Nathaniel-Koch, during her time on the Namibia Tourism Board, was linked to spending about N$3.4 million in public funds on excessive travel, including 21 foreign trips and first-class flights allegedly in violation of board policy.
He had also raised concerns over legal fees allegedly incurred to dismiss a finance manager who questioned the payments.
Zaamwani says she has reviewed the list of applicants and decided to appoint Ngakumbirue Katjivena, who also met the requirements for the position.
Katjivena is a legal expert admitted to the High Court.
Zaamwani says she will table his CV in the National Assembly for transparency on Thursday.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during the resumption of debate on the proposed appointment of the Land Tribunal members for a three-year term running from 1 April 2026 to 30 March 2029.
The other proposed members are Ileni Gebhardt as alternate chairperson, Inekela Kambindji, Christopher Khaile and Petrus Amakutuwa.
The appointments were approved by the National Assembly.
The Land Tribunal deals with disputes relating to land matters and forms part of Namibia’s land administration system.
