Namibia Today employees still on Swapo payroll

Three employees of the Swapo Party mouthpiece, Namibia Today, are still on the party's payroll even though the weekly publication last hit store shelves two years ago.

This month marks exactly two years since the publication aimed at pushing forward the agenda and policies of the Swapo Party was published.

The editor of the publication, Asser Ntinda, confirmed that he and two other employees, Anna Nakambale and Levi Uupula, are still on the party's payroll as they are not yet dismissed. A fourth employee, Esau Muzeu, resigned last year.

“We have not yet been dismissed and that is the reason why we are being paid. Our contracts with Swapo still stand,” he said.

When contacted for comment, Swapo's secretary-general, Nangolo Mbumba, could not confirm or deny whether the trio are still on the party payroll saying that it is likely they are still being paid.

“It is quite possible that are still being paid because they were budgeted for and we had a contract with them. However, I can't divulge more regarding whether they are still being paid until this month or whether it has stopped as that falls under the department of information,” Mbumba said.

Attempts to secure details regarding the contracts proved futile.



Getting rid of Ntinda

Namibian Sun also understands that the top leadership of the Swapo party wants to revamp the structure of the mouthpiece as this is seen as a way of getting rid of Ntinda as editor.

Ntinda yesterday said he was aware of such stories. He said that “there are those in the party not happy with him at the helm of the paper”.

He also said he was informed that the issue about Namibia Today was also 'hotly' discussed at the last party central committee meeting which took place recently.

“Some Swapo leaders, particularly the top three, do not want me as editor of Namibia Today. The dilemma is how to terminate my contract. Mbumba made this clear to me when I had a meeting with him late last year,” Ntinda said.

“I told him point blank that I also had no problem parting ways with Namibia Today. It is actually a blessing in disguise because I won't be able to defend some of the weird decisions they make,” Ntinda further remarked.

Ntinda said it does not make sense for the party to keep paying him for work he is not doing, asking why the party is taking its time to get rid of him.

“I don't know why they are taking so long to let me go. I know that they need Namibia Today, but not with me as editor. But on a serious note, how can you pay a person for two years for doing nothing? I also do not want to work with people who do not want to work with me,” he said.

Last year, Namibian Sun contacted the party's information secretary Helmut Angula on the issue of getting rid of Ntinda. He was quoted saying the party needed a young and energetic team for the mouthpiece.

“The time has come when we need more young and energetic people who are knowledgeable and new technology will be used in the publication of Namibia Today,” Angula was quoted as saying.

He confirmed yesterday when asked about the future of the paper.

“We are just working on putting together the newspaper, especially the staff where we are discussing issues and recruiting,” Angula said.

When asked when the paper is likely to be published again, Angula said he does not know as there is no date set yet.

Ntinda however made it clear that he will not fight to be the editor of Namibia Today.

“I will neither fight to be Editor of Namibia Today nor lose my sleep over aging politicians trying to play soccer. I have been with Namibia Today for 18 years now. I have done my part. There is life after Namibia Today,” Ntinda said

“It seems our aging politicians have no confidence in the young people of this country. They only want lapdogs. No country can truly move forward with such mentality … they have their own people whom they want to place in the party structures, and not only at Namibia Today,” Ntinda further said.

KENYA KAMBOWE