Katjavivi defends Rukambe's appointment

Speaker of National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi has denied influencing the selection process which saw his former personal assistant Joram Rukambe being appointed the sixth secretary to the National Assembly. Katjavivi and Rukambe worked together when Katjavivi was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Namibia (Unam). “We recruited a suitable candidate Rukambe, whose appointment has now been approved by the relevant authorities. Rukambe has distinguished experience in related matters, as can be attested by his CV,” Katjavivi told Namibian Sun. Concerns have emerged with critics linking Rukambe’s previous past working experience with Katjavivi as having influenced Rukambe’s appointment. He replaces Jakes Jacobs whose contract expired in September last year. “It cannot be a conflict of interest, because if you use the logic of a PA, I had about four personal assistants in my career. If I go for Rukambe then there must be more to him than just being associated with me when I was running Unam. “Rukambe must have some other qualities that make him come to the top of the list,” Katjavivi added. According to the politician, other candidates already in the system were considered but Rukambe emerged as the most suitable candidate. “This is a particular appointment that can be made by the Speaker but I cannot abuse my position, by bringing in someone because I happen to know them. It does not work that way.” He further explained that Rukambe will add value to the work of the National Assembly. “By character, I am a very modest person; I am not the one who will shy away from doing what I think is right. What is right should reflect the broad base interest of the institution. We are here to serve and let him be judged on the merits.” He noted that those who know “the gentlemen” will vow that he has what it takes as chief administrator of the National Assembly. Katjavivi said Rukambe will start work at the beginning of February. Rukambe is said to working as a regional electoral advisor for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the programme manager for Africa at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). His other previous roles include among others, being director of elections and consultant to several Southern African Development Community (SADC) electoral management bodie. His predecessors include, Andre Kilian, Stephanie Winson, Moses Ndjarakana and Simon Goabab and Jacobs. ELVIS MURARANGANDA