EDITORIAL: On Esau’s ‘innocence’

Former cabinet minister Bernhardt Esau’s startling claims in court last week that he knew nothing about the Fishrot syndicate, that his name was used and that he was misled into signing documents that enabled the syndicate - which cost Namibia over N$150 million - raised eyebrows across the country.

If his claims are true and he was indeed used, it says a lot about the people we elect into power and those we entrust to safeguard the country’s resources.

While many believe Esau is simply pleading ignorance in a bid to convince the court to grant him bail, his testimony thus far has shown that the public resource management system is not insulated against syndicates of this nature.

Ministers, as the ministerial political heads, have the mandate and authority to decide on policy matters linked to their ministries, and if you have ministers being hoodwinked into sanctioning illegal dealings, then the country is a ticking bomb towards total collapse.

Taxpayers fork out millions annually to maintain the lifestyles of ministers, but there is seemingly little return on that investment.

Esau was boasting in court how he had a budget of N$1.5 million in travelling allowances at the fisheries ministry. This is insane if you consider the ministry’s output.

It’s high time the Public Office-Bearers Commission reviews some of these perks and sets them against the performance targets for officer-bearers. This is the only way we can do away with our tendency of rewarding mediocrity.