TIRI MASAWI
Justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has picked ministry executive director Ben Nangombe to act as the new head of the Social Security Commission (SSC).
Sources say Nangombe, who currently serves as executive director in the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations will be seconded to lead the SSC as an acting executive officer for an unspecified period of time.
Immanuel did not respond to questions sent by Namibia Business Review on Monday and his phone went unanswered.
When contacted by Namibia Business Review on Monday, Nangombe said he was not formally notified.
“I have not been formally notified. I cannot say anything now,” he said.
Nangombe has worked as the executive director of health and social services. He also briefly served as executive director in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
Nangombe is expected to replace Milka Mungunda, whose 10-year tenure at the commission ends at the end of July.
The appointment comes after minister Immanuel halted the recruitment process in May for the SSC executive officer position, leaving the commission without a permanent successor as it prepares to take on expanded responsibilities.
SSC acting board chairperson Simson Shilongo referred questions about the appointment to the ministry.
“I am not the best person to speak about this issue. I advise that you engage with the corporate communications department of the SSC or the ministry directly,” he said.
The decision comes after a recruitment process for one of the highest-paying positions in the state-owned enterprise sector was stopped.
The SSC executive officer position carries an annual package of more than N$2 million.
The recruitment process, launched in March, attracted interest from several senior executives before it was halted.
Among those linked to the position were Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) general manager for operations Elvis Nashilongo, former Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) chief executive officer Kapena Tjombonde, former Old Mutual executive Ndangi Katoma, and businessman Ndeulipula Hamutumwa.
While the reasons behind the decision remain unclear, sources previously indicated that the minister was considering broadening the requirements and competencies for the role. Others suggested political interests played a role.
The move reportedly frustrated former SSC board chairperson Markus Kampungu, who resigned after the recruitment process was stopped.
Before his resignation, Kampungu said the board had not been informed whether the suspension was linked to possible changes to the role.
“I am not sure whether the decision to stop the process has anything to do with broadening the scope of the work or expectations from the candidate but we will wait for the minister,” he said.
The SSC is entering a critical period, with the commission expected to take over the management of the N$3.9 billion Public Service Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas).
It is also expected to play a role in implementing the National Pension Fund (NPF) and National Medical Benefit Fund (NMBF), initiatives aimed at expanding social protection coverage to workers, including those in the informal sector.
Meanwhile, Mungunda said she will leave the SSC after a decade at the helm, saying she is handing over an institution in a stronger financial position.
She said the SSC investments grew from about N$1.9 billion when she took over to between N$6 billion and N$9 billion.
“As I’m leaving now, I’m leaving the institution better. I am leaving the institution with between N$6 and N$9 billion,” she said in a video interview played at the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Annual Stakeholders’ Forum held at Midgard Country Lodge last week.
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