Blame me for Venaani’s perks – Dienda
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Elma Dienda says she pushed for the proclamation of the status of Leader of the Official Opposition for the party’s head, McHenry Venaani.
This after donors withdrew after it was approved early in 2020, she said.
The proclamation - issued on 4 March -entitles Venaani to a vehicle, a state office at the National Assembly and a personal or administrative assistant.
He also gets a bodyguard or security aide as well as a personal driver.
In a WhatsApp voice note, Dienda appealed to party members that Venaani did not ask for the perks but that, in fact, the office was budgeted for.
“We appointed a personal assistant [PA] for the president [Venaani] and we waited for government to start paying her and this did not materialise, so we had to go and look for a source outside Parliament. It was just right for the government to come back to us,” she said.
‘Unwise’ to decline
Dienda added that it would be unwise to expect Venaani to decline these perks and status.
She added that the party leader’s bodyguard and driver need better working conditions, which the party is unable to afford.
“The president is using his private car to run up and down for party activities, so it means his personal resources are limited. “It would be just be wise to get a car from the government which he can use all over the country, instead of dipping in his personal resources, and to do a better job as party president,” she said.
Dienda was unreachable for confirmation on the circulated voice note, while Venaani said he won’t entertain “hogwash stories.”
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Elma Dienda says she pushed for the proclamation of the status of Leader of the Official Opposition for the party’s head, McHenry Venaani.
This after donors withdrew after it was approved early in 2020, she said.
The proclamation - issued on 4 March -entitles Venaani to a vehicle, a state office at the National Assembly and a personal or administrative assistant.
He also gets a bodyguard or security aide as well as a personal driver.
In a WhatsApp voice note, Dienda appealed to party members that Venaani did not ask for the perks but that, in fact, the office was budgeted for.
“We appointed a personal assistant [PA] for the president [Venaani] and we waited for government to start paying her and this did not materialise, so we had to go and look for a source outside Parliament. It was just right for the government to come back to us,” she said.
‘Unwise’ to decline
Dienda added that it would be unwise to expect Venaani to decline these perks and status.
She added that the party leader’s bodyguard and driver need better working conditions, which the party is unable to afford.
“The president is using his private car to run up and down for party activities, so it means his personal resources are limited. “It would be just be wise to get a car from the government which he can use all over the country, instead of dipping in his personal resources, and to do a better job as party president,” she said.
Dienda was unreachable for confirmation on the circulated voice note, while Venaani said he won’t entertain “hogwash stories.”
[email protected]
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