Maria David
FORMER First Lady Monica Geingos has refuted claims alleging that she played a role in the appointment of Dr. Esperance Luvindao as the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Luvindao was among 14 ministers appointed by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Saturday.
In a statement issued on Monday, Geingos indicated that the widely circulated anonymous WhatsApp messages suggesting that she played a role in Luvindao’s appointment are not true.
According to Geingos, she became aware of Dr. Luvindao’s appointment when it was publicly announced and had no prior knowledge thereof.
“I have never spoken to any leader regarding the appointment of any individual, nor have I directly or indirectly recommended or influenced any ministerial appointment,” she said.
She added that the appointment of ministers is the sole prerogative of the President, and she was surprised that there is an attempt to blame individuals who are peripheral to that process.
“I abhor corruption and agree with President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inaugural speech that it should be treated like treason,” she said.
Geingos stressed that she has no existing or past financial interest in the procurement processes of any state institution, and the suggestion that she would influence appointments for personal gain is patently malicious, offensive, and contrary to what she stands for.
Moreover, she said these anonymous messages are Machiavellian in nature and seek to trigger negative public perceptions of targeted individuals through the creation of false narratives.
“May we elevate our public discourse beyond these cheap politics and focus on the very real task of supporting President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s administration,” she said.
Geingos indicated that she has endured unwarranted and malicious anonymous attacks for the last nine years of her life, despite her ambivalence toward politics.
She said that while these continued and cruel attacks are distressing to her and her family, the larger problem is that these low-level tactics are subversive to President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s courageous and encouraging developmental agenda.
