The Namibian government’s decision to probe 1 million ($70,916) elevator scandal at a house occupied by former vice president Nickey Iyambo, has claimed its first casualty with a deputy director involved in the State House saga committing suicide.
The official allegedly took his own life a few days after the presidency vowed to charge people responsible for illegally installing an elevator, The Namibian newspaper said in a report. The paper refused to reveal the name of the official, saying it was withholding the name until it has been confirmed that his family has been informed.
“Those implicated, whether in government or the private sector, will be prosecuted accordingly, and made to pay for this illegal expenditure.”
Alfredo Hengari, State House spokesperson had announced in a statement last Friday.
Hengari said senior officials in the presidency concluded that the elevator installation at the house was illegal and executed without following government procurement procedures. The scheme was uncovered after it came to light that certain officials had illegally authorised the installation of the elevator.
President Hage Geingob was reported to have “yelled” at his top administrators last year after they informed him about a proposal to install an elevator at a state-owned house occupied by former vice president Nickey Iyambo, who resigned in 2018.
Several months later, that elevator was installed, a clear-cut sign that officials had ignored the president,
“Regrettably, unprincipled officials hastily and clandestinely installed the elevator between 1and 8 April 2019, without consultation and prior knowledge of senior management in the Presidency,” State House spokesperson Alfredo Hengari said in a statement.
Iyambo, who was forced to step down due to ill-health, temporarily returned to his private house in Eros. But sources said he informed to the government that he wanted a temporary residence while he renovated that house.
Sitting vice presidents under the Presidential Remuneration and other Benefits’ Act get almost everything for free. The perks for retired vice presidents, however, are not clarified by law, leaving a loophole for abuse.
Iyambo earned N$1.5 million or 106,374 US dollars per year as vice president, with a string of benefits extended to his family.