Schlettwein probed over Ueitele’s land tax exemption

Popular Democratic Movement lawmaker Hidipo Hamata has questioned agriculture, water and land reform minister Calle Schlettwein over the criteria used to determine who gets exempted from land tax.

This follows reports that prominent Namibians, including judge Shafimana Ueitele, were granted exemption from land tax while presiding over a case in which Schlettwein is part of.

Ueitele is presiding over a case in which the minister of agriculture is being sued as a defendant.

Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda is attempting to have Namibia’s veterinary cordon fence, known as the redline, declared unconstitutional and removed.

Hamata probed Schlettwein in the National Assembly on what basis Ueitele was granted an exemption from paying land tax.

“Does the minister acknowledge that granting a tax exemption to a judge presiding over a case involving the government creates a serious perception of bias and undermines public trust in the fairness of judicial and ministerial decisions,” he questioned.

Schlettwein is expected to answer on Thursday or in the next few weeks.

The Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Amendment Act allows the minister to exempt agricultural land owners when they meet certain requirements.

These requirements include any agricultural land owner who is a previously-disadvantaged Namibian due to past discriminatory laws or practices or for the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic, or educational imbalances.