||Kharas health director under scrutiny over dual role as councillor

||Kharas regional health director Sandra Owoses has drawn scrutiny after taking up a seat as a councillor in the Keetmanshoop municipality, a move critics say contravenes the Public Service Act.

The controversy began after it was revealed that Owoses, a Swapo representative, serves as a senior public servant and elected municipal councillor. Critics argue that the Public Service Act of 1995 prohibits individuals from holding both positions simultaneously.

As a regional health director, Owoses falls within the public service’s management cadre, a category that exercises administrative authority, oversees regional health operations and influences policy implementation within the health and social services ministry.

Section 30(1) of the Act bars members of this group from presiding over public political meetings, publicly promoting a political party or serving as office-bearers of political organisations.

By definition, a municipal councillor elected under a political party’s banner serves as an office-bearer who represents and advances that party’s interests within a public body. While ordinary public servants may participate in politics to a limited extent, the law prohibits senior officials such as regional directors from holding overtly partisan political positions.

‘No issue here’

Despite the legal framework, Swapo’s ||Kharas regional coordinator, Mathew Mumbala, said Owoses’s appointment had been properly overseen.

“What is the conflict of interest then? Tell me,” Mumbala said. “If it is a government position, any person knows their duty and responsibility. There is no issue here.”

When questioned about how the vetting process could have overlooked Owoses’ employment status as a senior public servant, Mumbala maintained that Swapo had followed its internal procedures and suggested that the law may have changed.

“You are talking about 1995, but we are in 2026. Are you aware of the amendment?” he asked, adding that due process had been followed.

Mumbala dismissed the issue as exaggerated.

"We are impartial and we do things according to the law."

Public confidence

However, Public Service Commission deputy executive director Alfred Tjihambuma confirmed that the Public Service Act of 1995 remains fully in force and continues to regulate the conduct of all public servants, including those in senior management positions.

The restrictions, he said, are intended to safeguard the impartiality of the service and maintain public confidence in state institutions.

Legal experts caution that even indirect political involvement by senior officials may constitute a breach of the code of conduct and could result in disciplinary action under Section 25 of the Public Service Act (Act 13 of 1995).

Section 1.2 of the public service code of conduct provides that failure to comply with its provisions may amount to misconduct, rendering a staff member liable to disciplinary measures. The code is designed to uphold professionalism, impartiality and public trust within the public service.

Service consulted

Contacted for comment, Owoses confirmed that she currently holds both positions. She said she was aware of the provisions of the Public Service Act and had sought advice on whether her dual role constituted a conflict of interest.

“I did consult about the Public Service Act and was told there is no conflict,” she said, adding that she is not the only public servant serving in a similar capacity.

When asked who had advised her, she replied only: “I consulted the public service.”

Meanwhile, another source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the law is clear and warned that the appearance of a conflict of interest can be as damaging as an actual one.