THE appointment of the head of the Namibia Revenue Authority is again in the hands of the national intelligence agency – with recommended candidates undergoing scrutiny.
Early this year, The Namibian reported the state was readvertising the position of commissioner for the new tax collection office after the national intelligence agency declared that none of the shortlisted candidates were fit for the job.
This included the current commissioner, Justus Mwafongwe, PwC Namibia’s tax leader, Chantell Husselmann, and Heinrich Mihe Gaomab, who is the chairman of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia.
While former finance minister Calle Schlettwein said they did not meet the “required standards”, The Namibian later learnt although they were fit for the job, none were the pick of the intelligence agency.
Schlettwein last year appointed Bank of Namibia’s deputy governor Ebson Uanguta as interim head, for six months until March 2020.
He was appointed so that he, together with the board, could set up a structure for the agency and recruit staff. This is yet to happen.
Uanguta is reportedly still acting chief executive officer, and now reports to his former boss Iipumbu Shiimi, who is now finance minister.
Penda Ithindi, chairperson of the revenue agency formation task team, this week said that interviews from the rerun were conducted early this year and recommended candidates submitted to the minister.
Five candidates reportedly made it to the interview stage, and only two were recommended to the minister.
“Recommendations were made, and since this is a vettable position, names were submitted for vetting. We are now waiting for the outcome of the vetting,” Ithindi said.
The intelligence agency has been accused of crippling even the procurement board, but political office-bearers have always come to its defence, saying if the vetting process finds that people are not fit to work at the institution, they would not be appointed.
Email: lazarus@namibian.com.na
Twitter: @Lasarus_A
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