The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters has challenged the health ministry’s decision to transfer rather than suspend officials allegedly involved in pharmaceutical theft and stock record manipulation.
NEFF deputy president Kalimbo Iipumbu raised the issue in the National Assembly on Tuesday, following the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ internal investigation into alleged fraud involving the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
He asked why implicated staff members are being reassigned instead of suspended pending the outcome of investigations.
“Now that you know staff are involved, why did you opt to shift and not suspend these people pending investigations?” he asked.
Iipumbu said transferring suspected individuals fails to address the root of the problem, particularly as medicine shortages continue to affect healthcare facilities.
Responding to the concerns, health minister Esperance Luvindao said her office had initially directed that implicated staff be suspended, but emphasised that due process must be followed.
“There are rules and regulations under the Public Service Commission that must be complied with. Evidence must be gathered, and people cannot simply be suspended without following proper procedures,” she said.
Iipumbu rejected the explanation, arguing that decisive action is necessary when wrongdoing is identified.
He warned that failure to suspend those implicated risks undermining accountability and could endanger lives.
“What are we trying to do? Are we trying to protect certain people?” he asked.
Executive director of health and social services Penda Iithindi recently in a statement confirmed that the alleged misconduct includes the manipulation of stock records, theft, and the diversion of pharmaceutical supplies in the national system.
