Poor funding risks Swapo regional offices’ security
No consistency
It is alleged that some regions completely ignore security and that they are unwilling to spend thousands to pay for security guards.
Following the recent burglary of Swapo’s Kavango East office in Rundu, it appears there is no consistency from the party as far as protecting their multimillion-dollar buildings and assets is concerned.
The ruling party allegedly only acts to provide security to offices once an incident has been reported. Namibian Sun uncovered that regional offices receive around N$45 000 on a quarterly basis from the party as an operational budget.
From this amount, regional executive committees are then expected to deliberate on how the funds are used, and then decide how the buildings are secured.
It is alleged that some regions completely ignore security as they are unwilling to spend thousands to pay for guards, as these funds - in some instances - can be depleted before the next roll-out arrives, depending on their activities.
Swapo’s Kalahari Holdings has of late been funding the construction of regional offices - despite these offices having been constructed before independence.
Namibian Sun is reliably informed that the company also provides security services to some regional offices through Namibia Protection Services.
Following a threat to the party’s //Karas regional office in Keetmanshoop some years ago, a security officer was deployed to the office on Kalahari Holdings’ dime.
However, prior to the threat, there was no security officer at the office for three years, sources claim.
Rundu burglary
According to Swapo Kavango East office administrator Samoneka Mahindi, after last Tuesday’s burglary at the office in Rundu - when a kettle and a Canon printer were stolen - the headquarters in Windhoek intervened and a security guard is now stationed at the office.
No arrests have been made with regards to the burglary.
Meanwhile, Swapo offices in Oshana and Ohangwena remain unguarded while Kavango West has employed a resident to guard the office, who is paid an allowance derived from its operational budget.
As for the Swapo office in Otjozondjupa, a private security company has been appointed and guards the building.
When contacted for comment, Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa refused to comment on the matter, while the party’s executive director Austin Samupwa did not respond to questions sent to him by the time of going to print.
[email protected]
The ruling party allegedly only acts to provide security to offices once an incident has been reported. Namibian Sun uncovered that regional offices receive around N$45 000 on a quarterly basis from the party as an operational budget.
From this amount, regional executive committees are then expected to deliberate on how the funds are used, and then decide how the buildings are secured.
It is alleged that some regions completely ignore security as they are unwilling to spend thousands to pay for guards, as these funds - in some instances - can be depleted before the next roll-out arrives, depending on their activities.
Swapo’s Kalahari Holdings has of late been funding the construction of regional offices - despite these offices having been constructed before independence.
Namibian Sun is reliably informed that the company also provides security services to some regional offices through Namibia Protection Services.
Following a threat to the party’s //Karas regional office in Keetmanshoop some years ago, a security officer was deployed to the office on Kalahari Holdings’ dime.
However, prior to the threat, there was no security officer at the office for three years, sources claim.
Rundu burglary
According to Swapo Kavango East office administrator Samoneka Mahindi, after last Tuesday’s burglary at the office in Rundu - when a kettle and a Canon printer were stolen - the headquarters in Windhoek intervened and a security guard is now stationed at the office.
No arrests have been made with regards to the burglary.
Meanwhile, Swapo offices in Oshana and Ohangwena remain unguarded while Kavango West has employed a resident to guard the office, who is paid an allowance derived from its operational budget.
As for the Swapo office in Otjozondjupa, a private security company has been appointed and guards the building.
When contacted for comment, Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa refused to comment on the matter, while the party’s executive director Austin Samupwa did not respond to questions sent to him by the time of going to print.
[email protected]
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