Political Perspective

MANY potential problems could be averted if political appointees, in particular Government Ministers, were less embroiled in matters of private business, and more involved in their own Ministries.

There is no clear separation of interests, which I feel underlies many of the corruption dilemmas the country currently has to deal with. And even though some may argue that MPs and Ministers have to declare their interests, who’s monitoring as and when there may be a conflict between these and their Government jobs? I THINK it can be argued that if you’re a Government Minister, you’ve got a damn good job, and you’re well-paid into the bargain.And if you don’t earn as much as the CEO of a State-owned enterprise or in the private sector for that matter, and money is your main object, then perhaps you should relinquish Government service to do just that.There is no need therefore, for a Cabinet Minister to also become a beneficiary of ‘black empowerment’, and I think Article 42 of the Constitution bears me out: “(1) During their tenure of office as members of the Cabinet, Ministers may not take up any other paid employment, engage in activities inconsistent with their positions as Ministers, or expose themselves to any situation which carries with it the risk of a conflict developing between their interests as Ministers and their private interests.(2) No members of the Cabinet shall use their positions as such or use information entrusted to them confidentially as such members of Cabinet, directly or indirectly to enrich themselves”.I suspect there may be cases where the abovementioned has been contravened, but then, who’s checking? The President? I doubt it has happened in the past (or if so, very superficially) and I would encourage the newly-incumbent President to go through the updated register of interests with a fine toothcomb when it is finished and ensure that the Constitution is being adhered to.While I would argue that Ministers should stay out of business, since it is allowed it is something that could be placed squarely in the ambit of the proposed Anti-Corruption Commission when it finally sees the light of day.It should insist on a regularly updated register of interests for Ministers and MPs, and ensure that there is no conflict of interest.I regret to say that cronyism and patronage are the direct result of allowing outside interests and not checking on who’s doing what.Stands to reason, in this day and age of affirmative action and black economic empowerment, that the private sector also falls prey to the allure of having (preferably) a powerful comrade or politically well-connected person on their board or their payroll.No doubt the business will benefit, and sadly, not necessarily because its best at the job in question, but simply because it has the right political connections! I still maintain NO to outside interests.In addition to good remuneration and benefits, Ministers undoubtedly get a very nice pension.So even when they leave public office, they are well looked after.It should be well clarified, one way or another.Sometimes Ministers and other senior political office-bearers are placed on boards of State-owned enterprises, where they also earn a fee.But when things go belly-up, or Government has to bail out the institution in question, they’re not considered responsible.So why put Government officials on these boards in the first place? In today’s edition, for example, NPC Director General Helmut Angula clarifies his involvement with NSP Omaruru.He obviously did a lot to get this company off the ground.When? After hours, over weekends, or in the time he’s paid for as Minister? And answering to reports on his involvement he is using Government staff, time and facilities.This could have been averted if he’d not been involved at all.Don’t tell me there aren’t a myriad of similar examples.I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest to President Pohamba, that the country looks at ways and means of minimising the prospects and possibilities of corruption.One way to start would be to disallow Ministers any outside interests.Period.And if they are involved, as so many tend to be, then they must take the consequences of their action and involvement and that includes having to deal with queries and questions from media.They’re appointed to positions of trust, and I can’t help but wonder how many of them could argue that the business interests they do have, in no way derived from their political standing in society.Few, I would imagine, and in which case there’s something badly wrong with our system.And even though some may argue that MPs and Ministers have to declare their interests, who’s monitoring as and when there may be a conflict between these and their Government jobs? I THINK it can be argued that if you’re a Government Minister, you’ve got a damn good job, and you’re well-paid into the bargain.And if you don’t earn as much as the CEO of a State-owned enterprise or in the private sector for that matter, and money is your main object, then perhaps you should relinquish Government service to do just that.There is no need therefore, for a Cabinet Minister to also become a beneficiary of ‘black empowerment’, and I think Article 42 of the Constitution bears me out: “(1) During their tenure of office as members of the Cabinet, Ministers may not take up any other paid employment, engage in activities inconsistent with their positions as Ministers, or expose themselves to any situation which carries with it the risk of a conflict developing between their interests as Ministers and their private interests.(2) No members of the Cabinet shall use their positions as such or use information entrusted to them confidentially as such members of Cabinet, directly or indirectly to enrich themselves”.I suspect there may be cases where the abovementioned has been contravened, but then, who’s checking? The President? I doubt it has happened in the past (or if so, very superficially) and I would encourage the newly-incumbent President to go through the updated register of interests with a fine toothcomb when it is finished and ensure that the Constitution is being adhered to.While I would argue that Ministers should stay out of business, since it is allowed it is something that could be placed squarely in the ambit of the proposed Anti-Corruption Commission when it finally sees the light of day.It should insist on a regularly updated register of interests for Ministers and MPs, and ensure that there is no conflict of interest.I regret to say that cronyism and patronage are the direct result of allowing outside interests and not checking on who’s doing what.Stands to reason, in this day and age of affirmative action and black economic empowerment, that the private sector also falls prey to the allure of having (preferably) a powerful comrade or politically well-connected person on their board or their payroll.No doubt the business will benefit, and sadly, not necessarily because its best at the job in question, but simply because it has the right political connections! I still maintain NO to outside interests.In addition to good remuneration and benefits, Ministers undoubtedly get a very nice pension.So even when they leave public office, they are well looked after.It should be well clarified, one way or another.Sometimes Ministers and other senior political office-bearers are placed on boards of State-owned enterprises, where they also earn a fee.But when things go belly-up, or Government has to bail out the institution in question, they’re not considered responsible.So why put Government officials on these boards in the first place? In today’s edition, for example, NPC Director General Helmut Angula clarifies his involvement with NSP Omaruru.He obviously did a lot to get this company off the ground.When? After hours, over weekends, or in the time he’s paid for as Minister? And answering to reports on his involvement he is using Government staff, time and facilities.This could have been averted if he’d not been involved at all.Don’t tell me there aren’t a myriad of similar examples.I wouldn’t hesitate to sugges
t to President Pohamba, that the country looks at ways and means of minimising the prospects and possibilities of corruption.One way to start would be to disallow Ministers any outside interests.Period.And if they are involved, as so many tend to be, then they must take the consequences of their action and involvement and that includes having to deal with queries and questions from media.They’re appointed to positions of trust, and I can’t help but wonder how many of them could argue that the business interests they do have, in no way derived from their political standing in society.Few, I would imagine, and in which case there’s something badly wrong with our system.