Is he Patel’s man?

A FEW weeks ago, Tembinkosi Bonakele was helping to draft a review of Namibia’s Competition Act when he received a call from Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel to ask whether he wanted the post as acting commissioner.

Since then, many have spoken of him as “Patel’s man”, insinuating that he will do whatever the minister asks.

Bonakele has rejected this outright. “I haven’t responded to the media debate out there because I don’t think one has to stand on a mountain and say ‘I’m independent’. Actions speak louder than words,” he said.

“I’m a lawyer by training — I take my responsibilities very seriously. I have professional norms I had to adhere to and take the job knowing there will be areas of contestation between various parties. That might include the government.

“If anybody was close to the competition authorities and the impact of that in business and government, one would understand the central [role] I have played . . . In more than one of those so-called controversial decisions I have been the leading person.”

So how would he describe his relationship with Patel?

“He’s my minister, he’s not my friend. Before he appointed me, he called me up. We had a meeting. Sometimes he may want our views on policy that will impact on competition and we would offer those views. We have a professional relationship.”

He said he protected his independence to avoid being “captured” by big business interests or government interests.

“One has to recognise that. At the same time, one has to listen. In order to properly regulate, you have to understand what really goes on in various sectors of the economy because there’s no one-size-fits-all. One has to be a little humble and listen. I think one should listen to the government as well.”