Opposition rejects appointment of Mbumba’s former assistant as ECN commissioner

Gerson Sindano was appointed by president Hage Geingob to fill the position left vacant by Joram Rukambe, who declined the appointment last year. According to his curriculum vitae (CV), in 2013 Sindano worked as a senior assistant to Nangolo Mbumba for two years before joining the University of Namibia as a full-time lecturer in 2015.Sindano is an English lecturer at the University of Namibia (Unam) Rundu campus.His appointment was announced by Swapo member of parliament Kletus Karondo in the National Assembly yesterday.According to Karondo, Sindano holds a doctoral degree in English, and master's and bachelor's degrees in English studies from Unam.Swanu president Tangeni Iijambo advised the National Assembly to distribute CVs of people considered for appointment on time so that parliamentarians could scrutinise them.However, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentarian Inna Hengari opposed Sindano's appointment, saying it should be red- flagged, as he is a political appointee.PDM leader McHenry Venaani also condemned the nomination, saying it is an attempt by Swapo to “steal” the national elections in 2024 to continue looting the country “until Jesus comes”. “Shame on you. Shame on you for bringing someone who worked in Nangolo Mbumba's office to this house. Swapo wants to loot the country until Jesus comes. Why do you want to bring a linguist as a commissioner?” Venaani asked, while also hitting back at Swapo legislator Jerry Ekandjo for claiming that the national flag belongs to Swapo.Venaani added that the appointment of Sindano, whom he said was a “chief propagandist” who spent time writing statements on behalf of Swapo, as a commissioner would compromise elections.Attempting to counter Venaani's assertions, Swapo backbencher Natangue Iithete said Venaani should be ashamed of himself because the names of the nominees were forwarded to Geingob from the National Assembly in which Venaani is a member.“The president did not suck the name from his thumb, the name came from parliament. If there is anyone who should be ashamed [of themselves] it must be him [Venaani],” Iithete said.Works and transport minister John Mutorwa also defended Sindano's appointment, saying it was unfortunate that the scholar's integrity was being questioned.Similarly, deputy speaker of the National Assembly Loide Kasingo also jumped on her comrades' wagon, saying nothing was wrong as the procedures have been followed. Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said claims that Swapo wants to rig elections or that Sindano is being appointed to advance Swapo's interest do not hold water.Sindano did not answer calls to his mobile phone at the time of going to print yesterday.