Allexer Namundjembo
Political leaders have expressed mixed reactions to the government’s decision to appoint Namibia Post Limited (NamPost) as the official distributor of social grants.
Last week, the ministry of finance announced that NamPost would take over the distribution of all social grants across Namibia, replacing private contractors as part of efforts to centralise public service delivery through state-owned entities.
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement welcomed the appointment.
AR spokesperson George Kambala called it a progressive and strategic move that aligns with the movement’s goal of returning control of essential services to public institutions.
“This shift provides an opportunity to strengthen public institutions and improve service delivery for vulnerable citizens who depend on social grants, including pensioners, caregivers and people with disabilities,” said Kambala.
He warned that NamPost must resolve operational issues for the transition to work.
He cited short branch hours, understaffing, and liquidity problems that could affect service delivery.
Kambala added that clear communication is essential, especially in rural areas, to ensure grant beneficiaries are informed about the changes.
He said the AR movement would monitor the rollout to ensure the transition is implemented with dignity and accessibility.
Meanwhile, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe said some pensioners already receive grants through NamPost, which has given them more control over their finances.
“For those unable to physically withdraw cash, swiping at shops offers a convenient and dignified alternative,” he said.
Ngaringombe said some grant recipients still rely on relatives to collect their payments, and in some cases, this support is misused.
“This undermines the financial freedom and dignity of the intended beneficiaries and must be addressed with urgency,” he said.
He raised concerns about NamPost’s presence in remote areas and urged the government to ensure wider coverage to avoid excluding rural citizens.
Ngaringombe also questioned the process behind NamPost’s appointment and asked if a public tender was issued.
“In a country still grappling with corruption in state-owned enterprises, transparency is non-negotiable,” he said.
At the back of it, NamPost has launched an urgent internal investigation into allegations of unauthorised withdrawals from a pensioner’s account.
This follows after 75-year-old Katutura resident Petrina Sikela filed a legal complaint, claiming that N$10,560 was withdrawn from her account over five months without her knowledge or consent.
“Safeguarding the trust and finances of our elderly citizens must be a top priority,” said Ngaringombe.
