Africa-Press – Namibia. THE minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Albert Kawana, has defended the government’s decision to buy eight flats at Katima Mulilo for N$8 million.
The flats were bought from property businessman Jerry Muadinohamba’s Muadinohamba Family Trust. The Sanzila Court consists of eight three-bedroom apartments.
The government’s decision to spend N$8 million on apartments comes at a time when it is accused of failing to maintain its current property portfolio, and cheaply selling government houses to senior government officials and their relatives.
The N$8 million spent on the block of flats is close to the N$10 million allocated to the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) for the last financial year.
Kawana said the acquisition of the flats is an indication that the government is committed to addressing accommodation challenges in the police force.
“I should indicate that this endeavour is in line with the government’s developmental plans to improve the plight of our men and women in uniform, through the provision of decent accommodation,” he says.
Police inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga said there was nothing wrong with the flats deal. “I cannot buy a house for the police and not follow government policy or treasury instructions. As a government institution, how can we buy something and not follow government procedures?” he says.
The complex was handed over to the police last month. At the handover ceremony, Ndeitunga said the flats will accommodate married members of the force from other regions.
“I am confident that with the acquisition of these flats, we will be able to provide decent accommodation – particularly to married couples, and I trust it will subsequently improve their productivity.”
Ndeitunga was disheartened that married members of the police force were living in barracks. He further urged occupants to ensure that the facilities are well maintained.
Businessman Muadinohamba confirms that the flats, built in 2018, were sold in accordance with the government’s procurement policy. “There was a government valuation done. They come with full security features including an alarm, wall, and electric fence as well as a security guard room,” he says
Muadinohamba adds that this is not the first transaction they have done with the government. The Muadinohamba Family Trust also own other apartments countrywide, in towns such as Nkurenkuru, Walvis Bay, Windhoek and Gobabis.
The Namibian reported in 2019 that several senior government officials benefited from what appears to be a scheme to use about N$10 million of state funds to build lavish houses in areas such as Suiderhof, Academia and Pionierspark. Later, these houses were sold at an average discounted price of N$250 000 to a clique of five civil servants.
While most Namibian home buyers would take more than 20 years to pay off their mortgages, this scheme allowed a selected group of government officials to buy a house for as little as N$300 000 or less for a house valued at N$2 million.
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