Senior regional officials 'dodge' parliamentary committees, send juniors 

Several parliamentary committees have raised serious concerns that senior officials are failing to attend scheduled oversight meetings, instead sending junior staff who cannot account for key operational and financial matters.

During a recent visit to the Otjozondjupa region, the parliamentary standing committee on gender equality, health and social welfare addressed reports that tuberculosis (TB) patients, psychiatric patients and those with chronic illnesses are being housed in the same ward at Otjiwarongo District Hospital.

The committee warned that this practice puts both patients and staff at increased risk of cross-infection.

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the committee noted the absence of the regional health director or any senior official able to explain hospital upgrades and the use of government-allocated funds.

Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) MP Longinus Iipumbu said the committee was frustrated by what he described as a lack of seriousness from officials responsible for health infrastructure and oversight.

“This committee, when we come here, we are not here to play. Yet it seems certain people think MPs are just roaming around because of subsistence and travel allowances. This is not about us; it is about the nation we are serving,” Iipumbu stressed.

He said parliamentarians expected proper briefings from senior leadership.

“We cannot simply be told that something was upgraded and leave it at that. We must go, see, touch and confirm that it is true – that our people are being served,” he said.

Iipumbu underscored that accountability for public funds is non-negotiable.

“There was money allocated here. Were the funds channelled? If so, who utilised them and were they used for the benefit of the communities? If not, those responsible must be held accountable.”

Otjozondjupa regional health director Gebhardo Timotheus said he was unable to attend the committee meeting as he was on official duty in the //Kharas region.

Nationwide issue

Similar concerns were raised this week during a briefing with members of the parliamentary standing committee on economy, industry, public administration and planning.

Officials from the department of works, including the government garage in the //Kharas region, were unable to respond to questions posed by parliamentarians and were instructed to return with answers and to ensure that senior officials attend future engagements.

In a separate engagement in Rundu, members of the urban and rural development and land reform parliamentary committee insisted that discussions with the Rundu Town Council be led by the council’s acting CEO, Fransiska Kupembona, rather than a property officer.

Member of parliament Job Amupanda said parliamentary standing committees operate at the highest level and therefore require top leadership-level engagement.

“We want the leadership to lead the conversation. We see it all the time with some local authorities, where they send property officers or other junior officials to lead presentations,” Amupanda said.

He said rapid urbanisation requires accurate data and clear planning targets.

“There’s rapid population growth. I can tell you that about 10 000 people come to Windhoek every year – that’s the figure I have," Amupanda said.

"They will tell you that when they come. Now, that basically means that, to make any real impact on land delivery and housing, you need to be servicing or making provision for around 15 000 houses annually. That's the target you should use."

He underlined: "Right now, we have nothing. There’s nothing happening on the ground. And for me, chairperson, what you should do is this: instead of just saying ‘noted’, you must instruct them that when we come back after lunch, they should tell us the actual population growth and the urbanisation rate in this area."

Complex issues under discussion

Amupanda said the committee deals with complex governance matters that require accountability and strategic input at the highest level.

“We are not here to talk about small issues. We are talking about complex issues such as land tenure systems at the highest level," he emphasised.

"We are not a committee of a ministry, we want to understand the broader issues and make informed submissions to parliament,” he added.

Kupembona subsequently led the presentation in her capacity as acting CEO, explaining that the substantive CEO was attending an urgent consultation in Windhoek.

She also said the council had received the committee’s invitation late.

As the full-time executive responsible for community services, Kupembona said housing matters fell outside her primary area of expertise, but she would proceed with the presentation with assistance from the council’s property officer.

*Additional reporting by Eliot Ipinge in Rundu

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