MPs plead poverty

SEVERAL members of parliament have only declared part of what they own in their asset declarations, while there are glaring discrepancies compared to previous wealth admissions.

This revelation is contained in the 2019 asset declaration records seen by The Namibian submitted in the National Assembly late last year.

This includes former minister of defence Penda ya Ndakolo, former minister of home affairs and immigration Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, newly appointed deputy minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi, and former deputy minister of labour Tommy Nambahu.

The Popular Democratic Movement's treasurer general, Nico Smit, and former deputy minister of information and communications technology Engel Nawatiseb declared no assets.

Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila only declared having a Mercedes-Benz and 50% of a farming entity called Seize the Moment Investment 56 CC, and no other assets.

Former minister of health Bernard Haufiku, who had previously stated he held shares in private hospitals, has declared zero assets.

Ya Ndakolo only declared a mahangu field.

Iivula-Ithana, who in 2018 declared she owned 50% of a farm, has only declared owning a service station at Omuthiya.

Minister of labour Utoni Nujoma, who previously said he owns a farm in the Grootfontein district has only indicated owning shares in 10 companies, including Bank Windhoek, First National Bank Namibia, Old Mutual, Simonis Storm Securities and two banking institutions in the UK – HSBC UK and NATwest UK.

Minister of sport, youth and national service Agnes Tjongarero declared no assets except shares in T& L Corporate Solutions.

Former deputy minister of labour Tommy Nambahu, who in 2018 declared owning a farm of 5 000 hectares in the Grootfontein district, has declared 50% shares in a health company called Dyno Health.

Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa declared a property in Rocky Crest.

Nekundi declared a 340m2 house.

Parliamentarians declare their interests as per the requirements of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament Act of 1996.

Part of the act states that “in the event that a member fails to comply, the House may ... take such disciplinary action against such member as it may deem appropriate ...”.

The Namibian has in the past reported some Cabinet ministers feel uneasy about declaring their wealth to the public.

No member of parliament has ever been investigated for failing to do so.

President Hage Geingob, together with first lady Monica Geingos, voluntarily declared their assets when he assumed power in 2015, stating it was a sign of his commitment to transparency.

GOING ALL OUT

Some MPs, including former deputy minister of works and transport Sankwasa James Sankwasa have pulled out all the stops.

Sankwasa declared he owns three properties, one village land, peasant agro-farming land, a vacant plot, a cattle farm called 'Sikanjabuka', with 165 head of cattle, and a farm called Masokotwani, with 380 head of cattle and 20 goats.

He also declared he has three vehicles and three tractors, and indicated the value of what he has bought each property, farm and vehicle for.

Deputy minister of disability affairs and marginalised communities Alexia Manombe-Ncube declared she owns two properties, 75 head of cattle, goats, about 205 sheep and 66 pigs.

Manombe-Ncube also declared having withdrawn the 5% shares she had in a fishing company called DVD PTY fishing.

Minister of agriculture, water and forestry Calle Schlettwein, who in 2016 declared he was worth N$7 829 970, has declared two properties.

National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi, who declared he owns 50% of a farm at Okahandja in 2018, also declared four properties in Windhoek and minority shares in two fishing companies.

Other MPs who declared their vested interests in the fishing industry are Peya Mushelenga, Alfeus !Naruseb, Anna Shiweda, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, Juliet Kavetuna, Zephania Kameeta and Mike Kavekotora.

Minister of mines and energy Tom Alweendo declared he owns three properties and a large stake in real estate businesses.

Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste declared he owns a 1 500 square metre plot at Rehoboth, a garage property and residence. Jooste also declared five financial trusts in his family name.

The PDM's member of parliament, Elma Dienda, declared no assets.

Minister of higher education, training and innovation Itah Kandji-Murangi and minister of environment and tourism Pohamba Shifeta declared they own shares in Bank Windhoek.

'NOTHING TO HIDE'

Speaking to The Namibian, Sankwasa said he has nothing to hide.

“I have to be transparent ... I have no reason not to declare all my assets to the public. I have nothing to hide. So, I do not understand those who hide assets, unless they have acquired such assets unlawfully,” he said.

Ya Ndakolo said some wealth does not need to be paraded in public.

The Namibian reported four years ago that the government spent N$631 752 on the former minister's accommodation bill for a six-month period.

At the time, Ya Ndakolo released a statement saying “it wasn't the intention of the ministry to accommodate the minister at the hotel for such duration, but the process of acquiring his appropriate house was somehow longer due to prices of houses in Windhoek”.

'I HAVE MANY CARS'

Ya Ndakolo this week admitted to having many vehicles and houses.

“In all honesty, I have many cars. You can report about them now since they are not in the asset declaration. Some I can't remember ... I have three houses. I also have a cattle post measuring about six hectares,” he said.

Nawatiseb denied hiding assets publicly but confirmed to The Namibian that he owns properties of which most are not registered in his name yet.

When called, Ivula-Ithana said she was in a meeting and could not talk.

'I HAVE BECOME SO POOR'

Haufiku said he has not acquired any new assets recently other than what he had declared previously.

“I have become so poor now after I joined the government that I am even ashamed to speak about it. I lost 70% of what I was making as a private doctor.

“With Covid-19, as a private doctor, one could help with emergency and anaesthetics, but with the government it is different,” Haufiku told The Namibian.

SHANGULA DIVES INTO DIAMONDS

Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula has revealed he owns a stake in a diamond cutting and polishing business called Ankit Gem Namibia.

According to the company's website, the company's headquarters is based in India, with operations in Namibia, China, the USA, Belgium and Australia.

“Yes, I have shares in the company,” Shangula said.

He further declared having acquired a plot where he intends to put up a medical practice in the near future.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The code of conduct for members of the National Assembly states all MPs should declare not only their own assets, but also that of their spouses.

This appears not to have been considered by most parliamentarians.

National Assembly spokesperson David Nahogandja explained that the declaration of interests involves different aspects for different purposes.

“The declaration of interest has two parts: Part B is a part of the declaration which is accessible for public scrutiny, and is also available in the parliamentary library for the public to see.

“Then there is Part C, which members declare to parliament in confidence, in which information regarding spouses and dependants is kept,” he said.