…former deputy minister wants perks she had during her time in political office
TIRI MASAWI
The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) interim managing director Maureen Hinda-Mbuende has asked the board for a company car and personal driver – the perks she enjoyed in her former political office.
The former deputy finance minister turned Namcor interim managing director initially allegedly asked for the company car internally but management reportedly told her to take the request to the board of directors.
Hinda-Mbuende was appointed as interim managing director effective 25 August 2025 for a six-month term.
Hinda-Mbuende confirmed to the Namibia Business Review last week that she has requested for a company car and driver, a perk she enjoyed when she was in a political office.
It’s a leap from her days as a deputy minister, where she earned N$65 000 a month before taxes. Her water and electricity bills (N$48 240), housing allowance (N$159 222) and telephone allowance (N$1 080) were paid by the government. At Namcor, she stands to earn around N$230 000 per month, but the benefits she once had at her political office appears to be out of reach in the corporate world.
“I recently had my initial appraisal with the board. I believe I gave it my all and they are impressed with what I have so far done,” Hinda-Mbuende said.
She added “On the issue of the car, I believe the board are still making their considerations. On that one, I think the board will make their own decision or they are still making their decision. But it is not like I do not have a car at the moment. But it would help a lot if they could provide that,” she said.
Hinda-Mbuende steps into her role at a turbulent Namcor, rocked by scandal.
Former managing director Immanuel Mulunga and other executives have been arrested and charged in a corruption case involving about N$400 million allegedly siphoned from the state oil company.
“It is not easy to run an institution like Namcor but if one is committed to achieve what they want it’s possible,” said Hinda-Mbuende.
Despite the chaos, Hinda-Mbuende is determined. “I am not new in the corporate world. I have served before. I worked at the National Housing Enterprise and I have been a strong advocate for corporate governance,” she said.
She is focused on restoring skills and operations, appointing PriceWaterhouseCoopers as internal auditors and hiring a head of legal.
“The idea for now is to do what we can with the skills that we have internally and outsource what we have and minimize cost in the long run,” she said.
Her plans also include expanding fuel access, aiming to cut the distance between service stations on highways from 350 kilometres to 150 kilometres.
“I am comfortable because I now have a chance to practice what I have always preached, which is good corporate governance. I have the advantage that I am coming from a political background and that allows me to listen and understand what the challenges are,” she said.
Hinda-Mbuende faces an uphill battle: rebuilding trust, stabilising finances, and reviving a scandal-hit company, all while waiting for a decision on the car and driver she says would make her job easier.
Namcor board chairperson Florentia Amuenje told Namibia Business Review on Sunday that she was busy to comment on the issue and promised to give a comment on Monday.
“I am currently attending to visitors. Let’s talk about this tomorrow (Monday). Feel free to call me during the day and I can attend to the issue,” she said.
However her phone went unanswered after several calls on Monday.
Corporate Governance expert Ntelamo Ntelamo said it is normal to replicate benefits that one person could have enjoyed in an executive government office to corporate life.
“If it is true that the board rejected such a request then it certainly seems as if it was requested outside the contractual agreements. In instances where such agreement is part of the contract the company will have its ways on what portion they pay and what portion the managing director would pay. It is, however, not always a straightforward issue that this can be done,” Ntelamo said.
Her appointment as Namcor managing director was reportedly handpicked by the deputy prime minister and Minister of Mines and Industrialisation, Natangue Ithete. Natangue last month denied handpicking Hinda- Mbuende.
Natangue Ithete told Parliament last month that he did not personally appoint anyone as acting CEO of Namcor. He was responding to Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani, who asked if new government policies gave him such powers.
The statement comes after reports that Ithete had recommended interim appointments at both SOEs, sparking concerns over political interference. Ithete insisted that no minister can override board procedures when making appointments.
Ithete said she Hinda-Mbuende will guide Namcor through its current chapter, which he deems as the ‘not so easy’ chapter, and lead it towards greater efficiency, innovation and national impact.
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