Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has renewed its call for government to introduce five-year contracts for senior civil servants, saying the proposal aims to improve accountability and service delivery, not threaten job security.
LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said the party leader, Bernadus Swartbooi, raised the matter last week during a meeting with the Public Service Commission in Swakopmund.
Simataa said some members of the public misunderstood the suggestion and assumed it targeted civil servants unfairly.
“Firstly, it is important to correct the misinformation circulating. The proposal does not aim to establish a universal policy for all public sector employees. It specifically refers to individuals in senior leadership positions, such as executive directors, directors, deputy directors, and others in similar roles. These positions are instrumental in shaping policy implementation, driving institutional performance, and directly influencing the success or failure of political decisions,” said Simataa.
Simataa asserted that we must hold people in these senior roles accountable when they fail to perform.
Currently, removing underperforming officials is difficult and ineffective.
“In contrast, elected politicians, who are also accountable to the public, can be removed through regular elections or sufficient public outcry. Namibia’s progress relies not only on political leadership but also on the efficiency and integrity of its public administration. If both the political and administrative components are essential for development, then both must be held to the same standards of accountability and renewal,” he explained.
Simataa said it is not sustainable for political leaders to change every five years while top civil servants stay in office permanently, regardless of results.
He said introducing a performance-based contract system would help ensure only those who deliver tangible outcomes remain in their roles.
“This would create a greater incentive for senior civil servants to engage actively with elected leaders, drive implementation, and demonstrate meaningful progress. As it stands, there is little in the way of enforceable accountability for those in these influential positions. Moreover, with Namibia’s political environment becoming more diverse and less dominated by a single party, the need for impartial and effective administration is more urgent than ever,” he said.
Simataa said civil servants must adapt to a new political environment that values transparency and results over allegiance.
“Fear of change or resistance to new leadership only hinders national progress. In this context, introducing term limits for senior public servants is not a threat but an opportunity. It is necessary to step toward building a responsive, meritocratic public service that truly serves the needs of the Namibian people,” he said.
