EDITORIAL Revelations this week by minister Frans Kapofi about the hefty retirement perks for the country’s service chiefs, namely prisons, police and defence, are disheartening.As if giving retired presidents sumptuous lifetime cash rewards was not enough, service chiefs are getting a top-up on their pension payout as well as a vehicle.
Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga, who himself will queue up for these benefits when he retires in a year’s time or so, sang for his supper when The Namibian sought his comment.
He said this token is extended to these men (yes, men) for retiring honourably. It’s classic stuff of praising a fish for swimming.
Serving ‘honourably’, whatever that means, is a requirement for each citizen – not only service chiefs. Prison wards, police cadet constables and junior army officers are all required to serve honourably, but what do they get when they retire?
People who served the country diligently deserve a pat on the back, but in literal terms; not with outrageous financial perquisites anchored on misplaced economic realities.
Our economy is tired and can no longer carry the weight of this level of abuse of our rare resources by political office-bearers and their cronies.
Namibians should no longer be forced to pay for politicians' sunset years when politicians cannot even pay for their own lifestyles while in active employment.