Africa-Press – Namibia. STATE HOUSE says The Namibian is unethical and slanderous for reporting on president Hage Geingob meeting with Jack Huang.
Huang is an accused in a N$3,5 billion tax evasion, fraud and money-laundering case currently pending in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
“It’s nothing but poor journalism that seeks to vainly establish a causal link,” presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari said in a statement yesterday.
The Namibian reported that Geingob met with Huang in Luanda, Angola, last month when the president travelled to Angola for the inauguration of the country’s president, João Lourenço.
State House issued a statement yesterday, criticising The Namibian’s coverage of Geingob.
“Any reader of the said article […] can tell that the grafting of the name of president Geingob in that article was nothing but distortion, misrepresentation, and a negligent departure from facts,” Hengari said.
“Nothing on the face of the earth connects president Geingob’s name to any form of malfeasance or irregular activity,” he said.
Hengari said Geingob has not at any point imported any goods from China outside Namibia’s laws.
“Factually, The Namibian knows very well that this matter is wholly unrelated to the president.”
The Namibian has in the past exposed that Geingob bought a bed for N$120 000 as part of a N$1,6 million splash on furniture imported tax-free through individuals implicated in a N$3,5 billion tax-evasion, fraud and money-laundering scheme in the country.
The luxury goods were bought from China, shipped to Walvis Bay and, according to people familiar with this transaction, transported to Geingob’s private residence by his friend and business partner Huang.
Although the president obtained exemption from paying import duty, the transaction raised questions about the abuse of privileges, as well as the loss of money to the country through spending on top-of-the range luxury goods.
The Presidency said reports about Geingob’s questionable relationship with Huang “is another desperate attempt to boost sales”.
“The Namibian has grafted the president’s name into a tax matter before the courts involving Mr Jack Huang.”
“Crucially, The Namibian lacks integrity since it is based on seeking to harm individuals who are targeted for political reasons,” the statement reads.
The Namibian has in the past reported that Huang was facing charges based on allegations that Chinese-owned businesses based mostly at Oshikango used false or manipulated import documentation to send about N$3,5 billion out of Namibia – mostly to China – through the bank accounts of two companies of Walvis Bay-based businessman Laurensius Julius from 2013 to the end of February 2016.
It is also alleged that the accused under-declared the value of goods imported into Namibia to customs authorities to evade the payment of customs duties.
Huang’s lawyer, Sisa Namandje, told The Namibian that Huang is not facing any major charges.
“My client, Jack Huang, is only indicted to stand trial on one charge under certain sections of the Income Tax Act,” he said.
Questions sent to the prosecutor general, Martha Imalwa, on letting Huang off the hook, were not answered.
The Namibian’s editor, Tangeni Amupadhi, yesterday defended the decision to publish the story.
“The Namibian remains at the forefront of robust, independent journalism. We will keep striving for the highest standards of fair and accurate reporting,” he said.
“That is why we are not shy to correct when we err and set the record straight.
“What we will not do is shy away from tackling tough issues simply because the powerful are involved.”
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