Houses for the president

[Bob Molloy]

Aislinn Laing

By Aislinn Laing, Johannesburg

2:10PM BST 10 Jun 2012

The move, which was proposed by members of the ruling Swapo party, will reportedly cost £13m this year – nearly the equivalent of its entire annual aid from the European Union - and a projected £92m in total.

It follows the completion four years ago of a new and imposing official residence for the president in the capital Windhoek by a North Korean firm which cost the taxpayer £46m.

It comes in stark contrast to the announcement last week by Joyce Banda, Malawi's new president, that she was selling off the jet and a fleet of 60 Mercedes limousines bought by the previous incumbent.

Supporters say the string of presidential mansions are imperative to spare the head of state the ordeal of staying in hotels where other, unknown people have stayed and "many evil things happen".

But critics say they are an unnecessary waste of money when Mr Pohamba could simply fly back to the capital on his private jet or in his helicopter if he objects to staying in a hotel.

[Michael Alexander]

I hang my head in disgust....

We have a major problem with folk living on the dumps, people having their shacks knocked down in the middle of the winter, massive unemployment.... ministers and PS's in positions due to political favouring and not because they are the qualified person who will deliver.... the whole is a shame..... yet the sheep continue to vote for the same people.....  why can't people learn, our people are suffering and you ain't delivering.... shame on you!!!!!!