Allexer Namundjembo
Voices in the political space have expressed mixed views on transfers of executive directors across government ministries.
While some see the reshuffles as a way to improve performance and curb corruption, others warn they could disrupt service delivery if not carefully planned.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the movement of executive directors can be useful when guided by clear objectives and proper planning.
Speaking to the Windhoek Observer last week, Kamwanyah said transfers can help share institutional knowledge, bring in new ideas and reduce over-familiarity with long-standing systems.
“Moving executive directors can improve performance, particularly in ministries where new leadership is required to address specific challenges,” he said.
Kamwanyah warned, however, that frequent or poorly timed transfers could weaken continuity and slow ongoing programmes.
He said incoming officials need time to understand new portfolios and stressed that transfers should be based on merit, skills and institutional needs, rather than routine rotation.
Kamwanyah said transfers may reduce risks by breaking entrenched networks and limiting prolonged control over sensitive processes.
He added that transfers alone are not enough without strong oversight, accountability and the consistent enforcement of rules in the public service.
Another political analyst, Sackaria Johanness, shared similar concerns. He said reshuffling senior officials could help address corruption and unethical conduct but may also cause confusion and delays in service delivery.
“These administrators require time to understand the operations of their new ministries, which can temporarily affect efficiency,” he said.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani questioned the cost implications of the reshuffles. He argued that the streamlining of ministries has not reduced spending at the executive director level.
“The President must ask the fundamental question of why the streamlining of ministries has not cut costs at the executive director level,” Venaani said.
He described the appointment of officials without clear executive functions as “a flagrant waste of resources”.
Independent Patriots for Change’s (IPC) leader in parliament, Immanuel Nashinge, also criticised what he described as the chronic reshuffling of executive directors and accounting officers by the current administration.
In a post on Facebook, Nashinge argued that the repeated movement of accounting officers is not driven by efficiency but forms part of a political strategy.
“Monday: In charge of a multi-billion-dollar poverty eradication vote! Tuesday: Transferred by a gazette notice. Wednesday: In a new ministry, stripped of all accounting authority. Their expertise in fighting unemployment, if any? Wasted!” he said.
He added that keeping officers in a state of constant movement weakens accountability.
“No one is powerful enough to hold the line. Patronage networks control the flow of money, not rules. You are distracted by the ‘drama’ of reshuffles instead of the disaster of outcomes,” Nashinge said.
Nashinge asked whether the administration would be able to roll out programmes to address poverty, inequality and unemployment or continue reshuffling accounting officers until 2030.
The concerns follow a Cabinet decision last week that approved several senior public service appointments and transfers affecting key ministries.
The changes include fixed-term appointments and internal transfers of senior officials across the ministries of finance, works and labour relations.
Among the changes, Linda Aipinge-Nakale was appointed to the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology on a five-year fixed-term contract.
At the Ministry of Finance, Cabinet appointed Oscar Capelao as executive director and accounting officer on a five-year fixed-term contract.
Cabinet also approved the transfer of Michael Humavindu, who had been serving as executive director and accounting officer at the Ministry of Finance.
He was transferred to the Ministry of Works and Transport as executive director, without accounting functions.
In another transfer, former health executive director Ben Nangombe was moved from the Office of the Prime Minister, where he had been serving as executive director in the Cabinet secretariat.
He had been transferred to the prime minister’s office earlier last year.
He is now appointed executive director at the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, with accounting functions.
