10 September 2008
Windhoek — President Hifikepunye Pohamba has separated the responsibilities of the Attorney General from the Ministry of Justice, formerly held by Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.
This came into immediate effect on Monday.
Dr Albert Kawana, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, has been appointed as Attorney General in the interim, while Iivula-Ithana will retain the position of Justice Minister.
President Pohamba through a brief statement expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Iivula-Ithana for her "excellent service" to the nation in the position of Attorney General. She held this position since 2001 and the combined ministerial position and that of the Attorney General since 2005.
The separation of the two positions has been on the cards for some time, and a subject of debate at the last Swapo congress.
"I am therefore not surprised," said political analyst, Phanuel Kaapama.
"It had to be done."
Kaapama went on: "The combination of the two positions has been considered to have the effect of undermining the public perception of an independent judiciary. Justice should be done, and not just seen to be done."
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