Zorena Jantze
PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has swatted away opposition party claims that the ruling party’s headquarters, which is estimated to cost more than N$700 million, was funded by China. The project that was awarded to Chinese Company Unik Construction.
During a question and answer session after annual the State of the Nation Address, Geingob stated that the party has collected over N$30 million from its own members.
“We have been collecting money, paying money monthly, I can prove this. I accepted no loan from anybody; the headquarters is being built with the money of SWAPO party money. Go and investigate its open books.” Geingob responded to an irate Bernadus Swartbooi, LPM opposition leaders.
The president further stated that the government should ensure that foreign companies do not come on their own terms and that they should observe the country’s laws, however, added that these companies cannot be kept out of the country as Namibia is not an island.
“When you see international company partnerships, some of these people who are saying “Chinese Chinese” are business partners with these people, you would be surprised,” Geingob said.
The President further touched on corruption and added that it will be revealed by the courts whether or not SWAPO party benefited from the Fishrot millions and that opposition should wait for the courts to do their jobs.
“I fought for the establishment for the anti-corruption commission, this is a case in an open court, why are you in a hurry. If I, as a president interfere with the judiciary, it would be wrong.” Geingob said.
Asked what will happen to fishermen that lost their jobs due to the Fishrot saga, Geingob stated that he has had town hall meetings in Swakopmund with the destitute workers.
He added that unemployed fishermen will be reinstated as some companies were given extra quotas to absorb jobs. A total of 1 300 fishermen will be given their jobs while more will be reinstated Geingob said.
Touching on the issue of the Nama/Herero Genocide and repatriations with German, Geingob stated that the current Genocide talks are being led by the Vice President.
Geingob stated that Germans stated that although the Genocide was a post World War 2 phenomena, they have acknowledged their wrongdoings, and have apologized for the genocide.
He added that the government is in talks and has identified 8 areas, where direct descendants of the genocide are and that there will be a construction of shrines in different areas to those who lost their lives in the Genocide.
Geingob further stated that modalities on community development and financing of these communities will be done government to government.
