Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Independent Patriots for Change has hit out at Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani over his social media post on the appointment of the new Ombudsman.
In a statement issued by the Kavango East and West branch, the IPC said Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha was appointed within the confines of the law enshrined in the Namibian Constitution and this should “not raise eyebrows”. President Hage Geingob appointed Dyakugha on the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission.
The IPC took issue with Venaani’s initial tweet after the announcement of the appointment: “We condemn the Judicial Service Commission’s recommendation and President Hage Geingob’s appointment of the least best candidate as Ombudsman. The public interviews clearly revealed who was best. It shows merit is disregarded and that is very low of the appointing authority. Oviporoporo.”
The IPC regarded this as being disparaging of the process by Venaani and that the PDM leader was against the appointment of people from the Kavango regions to top positions. The new Ombudsman comes from the Kavango region.
The IPC demanded that Venaani withdraws his statement and work to correct the inequality that exists in the country. In defence of its party leader, the PDM Youth League in the Kavango regions issued a statement accusing the IPC of displaying political gimmicks and seeking relevance.
They said by his tweet, Venaani exercised his freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed by the Namibian Constitution. The league further said Venaani as an MP, was using his social media to “debate and advise the President in regard to any matters which by this Constitution the President is authorised to deal with.”
