Govt flats become bars, salons and ‘kambashus’
The Namibian government is restructuring the management of state-owned properties to address widespread misuse, including the illegal conversion of flats into businesses and shacks. A new agency, Pama, has been tasked with professionalizing asset management to improve revenue.
Why it matters
This reflects an effort to curb public sector corruption and mismanagement of state assets in Namibia to ensure better fiscal accountability.
The mismanagement of government flats has turned balconies into “kambashus” (shacks), prompting the works ministry to demand stricter oversight and commercial management of state properties.
This comes after works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi ordered the newly appointed interim board of the Public Assets Management Agency of Namibia (Pama) to hit the ground running and turn non-public service delivery assets into profitable government properties.
These include government houses, flats and nursing homes, but exclude facilities used directly for public service delivery such as government offices.
“If you go to those flats, one room is a barbershop, another one a bar, a cash loan and a balcony is a kambashu. People are renting out garages to their friends and some rent out government flats to friends,” Nekundi says.
Government flats have recently come under scrutiny over their management, occupancy and maintenance.
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