NDF farm raises questions
Analysts are asking how the cash-strapped defence ministry could get away with buying a luxury game lodge for N$45 million without President Geingob being aware of it.
Analysts are optimistic that President Hage Geingob will hold defence minister Penda ya Ndakolo accountable for buying a N$45 million farm and tourist lodge in the midst of an economic crisis, but reminded the president that the buck stops with him.
The media yesterday reported that the defence ministry had bought a game farm that will be used to train soldiers “to live in harmony with wildlife” and to perfect their shooting skills.
Oropoko Lodge, built by one of Namibia's first foreign investors and friend to former president Sam Nujoma, Kurt Steinhausen, has about 30 rooms and all the other amenities of a top-class tourist destination.
Apparently, more than one military unit will be housed and trained at Oropoko.
The purchase rang alarm bells, since the defence ministry had recently sent at least 1 000 soldiers home because it could not afford to feed them and pay the water and electricity bills at army bases.
The president seemed to be unaware of this transaction when he opened the first cabinet meeting of the year yesterday and said: “I hope it is not true.”
According to the president he had called minister Penda ya Ndakolo, but his phone was off.
“I hope it is not true. Today I read the ministry of defence bought a farm for 45 million dollars, while they are sending the troops home. I do not know if it was done last year. Minister, we need to talk, because I do not see the urgency while we are sending people back (home).”
Economist Dr Omu Kakujaha-Matundu said he believed that the president was going to take firm action, but he criticised the lack of accountability in the country.
According to him there is simply no culture of bringing culprits to book.
“It is time that we see that people are reprimanded and with that I mean that they are fired. If we continue to protect individuals then the president's vision to stamp out corruption will not stick,” he said.
Constitutional expert Professor Nico Horn believes that “heads will certainly roll”.
But he expressed concern that such a big deal could go through seemingly unnoticed.
“I would imagine N$45 million cannot be spent without cabinet approval. I cannot imagine that any ministry would have the authority to do this without cabinet approval,” he said.
Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah, on the other hand, believes the president looks weak when he complains instead of taking action.
“He must act on it if he is serious about what he says. Frankly, the defence minister has shown an uncontrolled spending habit and should be scrutinised.”
JEMIMA BEUKES
The media yesterday reported that the defence ministry had bought a game farm that will be used to train soldiers “to live in harmony with wildlife” and to perfect their shooting skills.
Oropoko Lodge, built by one of Namibia's first foreign investors and friend to former president Sam Nujoma, Kurt Steinhausen, has about 30 rooms and all the other amenities of a top-class tourist destination.
Apparently, more than one military unit will be housed and trained at Oropoko.
The purchase rang alarm bells, since the defence ministry had recently sent at least 1 000 soldiers home because it could not afford to feed them and pay the water and electricity bills at army bases.
The president seemed to be unaware of this transaction when he opened the first cabinet meeting of the year yesterday and said: “I hope it is not true.”
According to the president he had called minister Penda ya Ndakolo, but his phone was off.
“I hope it is not true. Today I read the ministry of defence bought a farm for 45 million dollars, while they are sending the troops home. I do not know if it was done last year. Minister, we need to talk, because I do not see the urgency while we are sending people back (home).”
Economist Dr Omu Kakujaha-Matundu said he believed that the president was going to take firm action, but he criticised the lack of accountability in the country.
According to him there is simply no culture of bringing culprits to book.
“It is time that we see that people are reprimanded and with that I mean that they are fired. If we continue to protect individuals then the president's vision to stamp out corruption will not stick,” he said.
Constitutional expert Professor Nico Horn believes that “heads will certainly roll”.
But he expressed concern that such a big deal could go through seemingly unnoticed.
“I would imagine N$45 million cannot be spent without cabinet approval. I cannot imagine that any ministry would have the authority to do this without cabinet approval,” he said.
Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah, on the other hand, believes the president looks weak when he complains instead of taking action.
“He must act on it if he is serious about what he says. Frankly, the defence minister has shown an uncontrolled spending habit and should be scrutinised.”
JEMIMA BEUKES
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