Swapo divided on ACC salaries

A MOTION tabled by Prime Minister Nahas Angula in Parliament should not be debated, but only given the nod, two Cabinet ministers said yesterday.

The Prime Minister asked Members to confirm salary and benefit adjustments for the two top officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), who fall in the same salary brackets as High Court judges. New salary ranges for judges were adjusted by way of proclamation last year and were approved by President Hifikepunye Pohamba this April, which are also appropriate for the ACC Director and Deputy Director, Angula told the House.”The ACC law of 2003 stipulates that Parliament must confirm the conditions of service of the two top posts in the ACC,” Angula added.When CoD politician Tsudao Gurirab wanted to open the debate on the motion, Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said that the conditions of service for the ACC director and his deputy should not be debated in Parliament.The Minister of Presidential Affairs supported her.”The law says we must confirm their conditions of service but we first must debate on it and give our opinion,” Gurirab maintained.CoD President Ben Ulenga requested a postponement to allow for consultations on the issue, which Deputy Speaker Doreen Sioka agreed to.New salary ranges for judges were adjusted by way of proclamation last year and were approved by President Hifikepunye Pohamba this April, which are also appropriate for the ACC Director and Deputy Director, Angula told the House.”The ACC law of 2003 stipulates that Parliament must confirm the conditions of service of the two top posts in the ACC,” Angula added.When CoD politician Tsudao Gurirab wanted to open the debate on the motion, Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said that the conditions of service for the ACC director and his deputy should not be debated in Parliament.The Minister of Presidential Affairs supported her.”The law says we must confirm their conditions of service but we first must debate on it and give our opinion,” Gurirab maintained.CoD President Ben Ulenga requested a postponement to allow for consultations on the issue, which Deputy Speaker Doreen Sioka agreed to.