• By Stefanus Nashama and 
Jeremiah Ndjoze

Namibian politicians and social commentators have reacted with mixed emotions to media reports suggesting that Jonathan Luvindao, a pharmacist said to be a sibling of health and social services minister, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, wrote to the that ministry to enquire about its medical procurement needs and strategy. 
The report have it that Jonathan, last month emailed the ministry of health as the managing director of Atlantic Pharmaceutical, a company said to have been owned by his wife, requesting the ministry’s medicine purchasing plans. Atlantic Pharmaceutical has reportedly been listed as a vendor with this ministry, prior to Luvidao’s ascendance to the ministerial position.
The email reportedly sparked concern within the ministry with some ministerial officials allegedly describing it as a ‘power play aimed at intimidating officials into giving Atlantic Pharmaceutical medical supplies contracts in exchange for goodwill with the minister.’

NOTHING UNTOWARD
Social justice activist Frederico Links told Confidente that he sees nothing untoward about the minister’s sibling writing to the ministry to enquire about its pharmaceutical needs. He however opined that Jonathan could have obtained the same information from the ministry’s annual procurement plan, ‘which is readily available on the ministry’s website.’
“Anybody can write to any ministry and enquire about anything. How the ministry is going to react to the submission and what the letter is going to translate into, remains the prerogative of that ministry. Only then can the masses react,” Links said. 
He further maintained that there are measures in place as instituted by central procurement legislation that speaks to conflict of interest and such clauses can be invoked if the need arises.

DIRECT PROCUREMENT 
Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe who said he was unaware of the claims, indicated: “But if they are true, there may be a conflict of interest.” 
Despite the controversy, Ngaringombe praised the minister for her recent proposal to bypass local pharmaceutical suppliers and procure medicines directly from manufacturers abroad.
“We commend the minister for promoting direct procurement from manufacturers. 
This is a positive step to reduce costs and improve efficiency,” he added.

UNDERMINES TRANSPARENCY
On the other hand, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) spokesperson Imms Nashinge confirmed that the party is aware of the situation and expressed concern over potential conflict of interest.
“[This is] given Atlantic Pharmaceutical’s prior ownership ties to Mr. Luvindao’s wife and its registration as a vendor with the Central Medical Stores,” explained Nashinge
He called for an independent investigation to assess whether any procurement guidelines were breached and to scrutinize the timeline of Atlantic Pharmaceutical’s vendor status in relation to the minister’s political appointment.
“If vendors with personal or political ties benefit from the current system, it undermines transparency. 
The IPC urges the ministry to publicly release all procurement records involving Atlantic Pharmaceutical and other vendors under scrutiny.”

NOTHING WRONG
Meanwhile, sources within the Ministry of Health and Social Services, who spoke to Confidente on condition of anonymity, say there is nothing improper about Jonathan inquiring about the ministry’s medicine procurement strategy, emphasising that the minister has no involvement in procurement processes.
While the move raised some eyebrows due to his relation to the minister, insiders insist the matter has been misinterpreted.
“There is nothing wrong with someone enquiring or applying for a tender in their professional capacity, even if they are related to a government official,” a source close to the matter said. 
“Being a relative of a minister does not disqualify you from running a business or seeking business opportunities, as long as the legal requirements are met. The minister is not involved in procurement at all.”