Nashinge yet to get official vehicle, bodyguard

THE leader of the official opposition, Imms Nashinge, is yet to receive his parliamentary perks.

As the leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) in parliament, he is entitled to a parliamentary office, a bodyguard, an official vehicle driver, and a personal assistant of his choice.

Nashinge last week told The Namibian he does not have an official vehicle or security official.

“I’m still waiting to be allocated these benefits,” he said, adding he has not been updated about it either.

Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson Julius Ngweda has confirmed that Nashinge would get an official vehicle.

“The car is at the government garage, and it just needs to be picked up by the colleagues at parliament, then he will be issued the car,” Ngweda says.

Parliament spokesperson Sakeus Kadhikwa says the administrative processes required to facilitate the relevant benefits are currently underway.

“As with all entitlements of this nature, administrative processes are required to be completed to ensure full implementation. The National Assembly is accordingly facilitating these processes in line with the applicable regulations,” he says.

The benefits of the leader of the official opposition are mandated by Government Gazette No. 7476, which was issued on 4 March 2021.

The benefits were determined by former president Hage Geingob under section 8 of the Public Office-Bearers (Remuneration and Benefits) Commission Act, following recommendations by the commission itself. The directive was signed into law on 24 February 2021 and published shortly thereafter.

Although these benefits were gazetted in February 2021, the previous leader of the official opposition, McHenry Venaani, only received the official vehicle in April 2022.

IPC ‘FLIP-FLOPPING’ TO BLAME

Popular Democratic Movement president Venaani says the parliamentary system is archaic, citing that he held the office for 10 years but only got to enjoy benefits for two years – despite them being approved in 2017.

He says the delay in the process is due to the IPC flip-flopping on the position after it had previously refused to take up the office before eventually accepting it.

“The IPC’s flip-flopping approach to the office could have caused the delays. They were claiming Venaani was bought. Now they accept and are too shy to face reality.

“As a politician, my contribution is always to build institutions that outlive the personalities I achieved with that office. Let our system get its act together and deliver,” Venaani says.

Political analyst Sakaria Johannes also believes the IPC’s refusal to accept the position could have played a role in the current delay.

“If you first refuse certain conditions of a position, and then change your mind, how do you expect such processes to be concluded on time? The IPC brought this on itself and hopefully lessons have been learnt going forward,” he says.

IPC president Panduleni Itula previously rejected the position, saying it was unconstitutional and that the party would not take up an unconstitutional position.

He later went back on his word, saying the party would accept the position to allow smooth operations of the National Assembly following calls that it was being held hostage as it had no official opposition leader.

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