Muinjangue defends use of state vehicle for OTA event
Deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue has defended the use of an official government vehicle to attend a community meeting held by Ovaherero leader Dr Hoze Riruako, saying she used it for its intended purposes.
Namibian Sun spotted Muinjangue during the meeting in Okahandja at the Commando Number 1 hall last week.
Riruako called the meeting to address a court ruling in favour of the Herero Royal Red Flag Association (HRRFA) taking ownership of Commando Hall 2, situated in Katutura.
In her defence, Muinjangue stated that she was already in Okahandja for official work duties and deemed it unnecessary to return to Windhoek and then travel to Okahandja again using her own vehicle.
“I am not abusing a government vehicle. I was in the area for official duties, and, of course, for this meeting. I could not go back to Windhoek and come [back in a private car],” she said.
Muinjangue’s use of the vehicle comes in the face of heightened scrutiny, with opposition parties questioning the use of government vehicles for private engagements.
Don't embarrass govt
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) director-general Paulus Noa in 2022 said official cars assigned to ministers and their deputies may be utilised for personal matters. The ACC boss said politicians are merely discouraged from using their official vehicles in a “manner that embarrasses the government”.
Meanwhile, in parliament in 2018, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Nico Smit questioned why Swapo officials use government vehicles for party and private engagements.
“As the leader of government business, can you confirm that government vehicles were indeed used at this particular party celebration? Secondly, can you please inform this August House that the cars were used on taxpayers' money?” he asked.
“Is it right - during these prevailing economic conditions - to be using taxpayers' money in the interest of a single political party and not for the people themselves who made this monetary contribution through tax deductions?”
The politician also sought clarity on “when and where we draw the line between state resources and resources of political parties”.
Namibian Sun spotted Muinjangue during the meeting in Okahandja at the Commando Number 1 hall last week.
Riruako called the meeting to address a court ruling in favour of the Herero Royal Red Flag Association (HRRFA) taking ownership of Commando Hall 2, situated in Katutura.
In her defence, Muinjangue stated that she was already in Okahandja for official work duties and deemed it unnecessary to return to Windhoek and then travel to Okahandja again using her own vehicle.
“I am not abusing a government vehicle. I was in the area for official duties, and, of course, for this meeting. I could not go back to Windhoek and come [back in a private car],” she said.
Muinjangue’s use of the vehicle comes in the face of heightened scrutiny, with opposition parties questioning the use of government vehicles for private engagements.
Don't embarrass govt
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) director-general Paulus Noa in 2022 said official cars assigned to ministers and their deputies may be utilised for personal matters. The ACC boss said politicians are merely discouraged from using their official vehicles in a “manner that embarrasses the government”.
Meanwhile, in parliament in 2018, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Nico Smit questioned why Swapo officials use government vehicles for party and private engagements.
“As the leader of government business, can you confirm that government vehicles were indeed used at this particular party celebration? Secondly, can you please inform this August House that the cars were used on taxpayers' money?” he asked.
“Is it right - during these prevailing economic conditions - to be using taxpayers' money in the interest of a single political party and not for the people themselves who made this monetary contribution through tax deductions?”
The politician also sought clarity on “when and where we draw the line between state resources and resources of political parties”.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article