Minister investigates tribal bias in Roads Authority recruitment
via The Namibian10 min read
Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi ordered an investigation into alleged tribal bias in recruitment at the Roads Authority RA in 2025. This probe was initiated after Nekundi claimed that six senior positions at the RA were predominantly filled by employees from the Zambezi region. The investigation found that the RA employs approximately 74 people from the Zambezi region, compared to over 300 from northern Namibia. While Nekundi expressed satisfaction with the findings, the investigation has revived broader concerns about tribalism in parastatals and government offices, an issue that has persisted since a high-level parliamentary committee investigated similar allegations in 2004. Former RA chief executive Conrad Lutombi, who led the parastatal from 2010 to 2025, denied allegations of tribal recruitment, stating that all recruitments followed company policy. RA board chairperson Martins Kambulu confirmed an internal audit investigated the allegations, asserting the investigation was impartial. Critics, including former Namibia Wildlife Resorts chief executive Mathius Ngwangwama and various political party spokespersons, emphasize the need for open debate and stronger oversight to address systemic issues of tribalism, favouritism, and unfair recruitment practices in public institutions.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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