NSHR

Namibia’s National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) joins The Namibian newspaper and Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) as well as members of the general public in questioning both the wisdom and rationale behind yet another excessive and inexcusable expenditure in favor of former Namibian President Sam Nujoma. In an exposé last week, The Namibian reported in a lead article on October 17 2008 that Cabinet has approved nearly N$22 million in taxpayers’ money to build a luxurious new office for Nujoma.

As a human rights organization, NSHR also questions this unjustifiable expenditure on moral, financial and socio-economic grounds. Firstly, the terms of reference as well as the moral imperatives for this spending on Nujoma have yet to be made public. Secondly, Namibia, which is applying for least developed country (LDC) status, can hardly qualify for such status and expect to receive money from developed nations, while it spends its own supposedly minimal and scarce financial resources on its former President. Thirdly, the fact that Namibia is one of the worst distributors of income among its relatively small population of some 2 million people is primarily because of a largely unaccountable political elite of Nujoma is the leading figure.

The latest expenditure will be an additional burden on the country’s already strained treasury. Since 2005 Namibian taxpayers have been forking out several millions of Namibia dollars on the “retirement” package of Nujoma after he “stepped down” in March of that year. In terms of the Former Presidents' Pension and Other Benefits Act of 2004 and, based on the President's monthly salary at the time, Nujoma has received, in cash, a tax-free gratuity and one year's pension of more than N$830 000. This occurred during the FY 2005-2006 fiscal year alone.

Since then Nujoma has been receiving a yearly pension of no less than N$400 000. This amount could even be more if incumbent President Lucas Hifikepunye Pohamba has been earning more than Nujoma at the latter’s retirement in 2005.

Furthermore, according to the foresaid Act, Nujoma's monthly pension should be the greater amount of either his monthly basic salary at the time of his retirement or greater than the incumbent President Pohamba’s current basic monthly salary.

The perks Nujoma has been receiving, which, in all likelihood, are running into several millions of Namibia dollars are not publicly known. At the time of his “retirement” Nujoma was entitled to three (3) sumptuous motor vehicles, including a Mercedes Benz S500, a four-wheel-drive station wagon and an LDV. If purchased new—and Nujoma does not seem to accept second hand cars let alone offices---the Mercedes Benz S500 could cost as much as N$930 000. According to the said Act, these vehicles must be placed at the permanent disposal of Nujoma, while the taxpayers will bear costs of fuel and maintenance of these vehicles.

In terms of the Act, Nujoma is also entitled to a lavish residence in Windhoek also at the expense of taxpayers. This house is worth as much as N$20 000 a month in rent, but should Nujoma decline such a residence, he is entitled to pocket a housing allowance yet to be determined by Cabinet.

As if these benefits are not enough, Nujoma has been afforded more than ten (10) security personnel, three (3) drivers, two (2) private secretaries and two (2) personal attendants as well as two (2) office attendants also at the cost of the State. Additional staff for Nujoma for which the taxpayer will foot the bill include three (3) domestic workers, two (2) gardeners, two (2) cooks, two (2) waiters and two (2) laundry persons to run Nujoma's household.

On top of all the aforementioned, taxpayers must also foot the bill for Nujoma’s medical aid, international and local travel, entertainment, telephone and utilities at an unknown cost.

“All these expenditures, like similar one before are being made at the time the country is plagued by insurmountable socio-economic hardships. This includes the decaying public health system a crisis ridden educational system as well as a chronic shortage of housing for the poor and vulnerable members of our society. The people of this country are chronically reminded that Nujoma is a national hero. But isn’t a real hero someone who has or is sacrificing his life for others?” asked NSHR executive director Phil ya Nangoloh.

Moreover, this type of conduct rings a bell. In or around 1992 a luxurious executive Falcon Jet was secretly procured to the tune of US$28 million for the use of Nujoma. This occurred at the time when a scorching drought plagued the country’s poor and vulnerable. A year or two later additional jet aircraft were also secretly purchased for the use also of Nujoma and other high-ranking officials of his government. Several years ago, a luxurious new State House was built originally also for the use of Nujoma, to the tune of an estimated cost of N$1 billion.

“One wonders why this Namibian hero cannot decline some of these things and sacrifice himself for his people. Can Nujoma really feel comfortable to receive this new office while his people are faced with a host of near-insurmountable socio-economic hardships? One really wonders!” said ya Nangoloh.

NSHR is calling upon former Namibian President Nujoma to comment on whether or not he agrees with all these expenditures, while the Cabinet is urged to rescind its decision to build such wasteful edifice for an aging statesman at this point in time.

In case of additional comment, please call Dorkas Phillemon or Phil ya Nangoloh at Tel: 061 236 183 or 061 253 447 (office hours) or Cell: +264 811 299 641 (Dorkas) or E-mail: nshr@nshr.org.na or visit: www.nshr.org.na