Africa-Press – Namibia. OMBUDSMAN Basilius Dyakugha yesterday advised the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) to take their ‘fight’ with president Hage Geingob to parliament.
Dyakugha says he cannot deal with requests by NEFF to probe Geingob over his alleged involvement in concealing the unfolding farmgate scandal, which saw over N$60 million allegedly stolen by Namibians at South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.
NEFF wanted the ombudsman to institute an investigation to validate the ‘serious allegations’ levelled against Geingob, and take appropriate measures.
Dyakugha, however, said the complaint by the NEEF falls outside his jurisdiction of human rights or environmental violations and maladministration: “For example; words such as unlawful conduct, money laundering, theft of money, connived with the officials to conceal paper trails of foreign and local subjects to ensure that criminal laws are not complied with”.
He said the NEFF’s complaint about Geingob potentially violating his oath is not catered for precisely in the country’s laws. “The violation of oath of office is one area which I could not find a clear express provision in our laws, However, Article 29 of the Namibian Constitution might possibly provide guidance on the issue.
“I therefore decline to investigate the complaint submitted by NEFF,” he said.
Dyakugha referred the members of parliament to Article 29 of the Constitution, which states that a president can be removed from office if a two-thirds majority of all the members of the National Assembly agree to impeach the president.
Dyakugha had a private meeting with the NEFF leadership, to guide them on the appropriate course of action to take. MONEY LAUNDERING AND KIDNAPPING PROBE
Meanwhile, the soap opera around ‘Farmgate’ continues to unfold in both countries, with South Africa’s elite police crime fighting unit, the Hawks, investigating a case of corruption, money laundering and possible kidnapping of suspects accused of stealing US$4 million from Ramaphosa’s farm.
Hawks spokesperson brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo confirmed the investigations to The Namibian yesterday. Ramaphosa’s money was allegedly stolen by four Namibian men, Urbanus Shaumbwako, Petrus Muhekeni, Erkki Shikongo, Petrus Afrikaner, and South African citizen Imanuwela David, who has links to Olukekete village in north-central Namibia.
Ramaphosa is accused of failing to report the incident to the police, after criminals broke into his farm house. He is also accused of kidnapping, bribery, money laundering, and “concealing a crime” in relation to the alleged theft of money.
Both Ramaphosa and Geingob have been accused of covering up the case, with both denying any wrongdoing. According to Mbambo, the Hawks don’t yet know whether the investigation has links to Namibia, as “the investigation just started”.
“It has a link to Phala Phala farm, not sure about Namibia, as I said we just started investigating,” she said. In a recent interview with South African television channel Newzroom Afrika, Mbambo could not say the charges are against any particular person.
“I am not at liberty to confirm at this stage who we are investigating… we will be in touch with whoever will assist with this particular investigation.
“We follow where the investigation leads and any person, anybody, it does not matter who that particular person is, if that particular person is able to provide and assist in the investigations, that person will be contacted.” Mbambo could not indicate when the investigations would be completed, and only said the Hawks are in no hurry to complete the investigations.
“We want to make sure at the end of the day that we will be able to gather enough evidence that will be presented in court, and if there is a crime that has been committed, whoever is responsible will be brought before a court of law,” she added.
Three of the five men – Muhekeni, Shikongo and Afrikaner are accused of breaking into Ramphosa’s Phala Phala farmhouse in the Limpopo province, and stealing US$4 million hidden in a sofa. However, Muhekeni denied being involved in the robbery.
He told The Namibian on Monday that in 2020, he gave his driving licence to his cousin, Erkki Shikongo, who had bought a Ford Ranger bakkie but needed to present a driving licence to insure the vehicle.
He said his name was dragged into the matter because of this. Shikongo also denied participating in the robbery, although he allegedly admitted to the Sunday Times that he is a criminal who smuggles gold, guns and dollars between Namibia, Angola and South Africa.
In his affidavit this month, former director general of state security in South Africa Arthur Fraser alleged the men had conspired with a domestic worker at Ramaphosa’s farmhouse to steal the money.
The suspects who allegedly lived modest lives before the robbery, used the money to buy properties in Cape Town and near Outapi in the Omusati region.
They also bought vehicles such as a Mercedes-Benz, VW Tiguan, Ford Ranger and VW Golfs. Ramaphosa is alleged to have reported the incident to the head of his police protection unit, major general Wally Rhoode, to investigate the incident.
Rhoode allegedly assembled a team of retired police officers and serving members of the crime intelligence unit, who recovered some of the stolen loot from the housekeeper and her alleged co-conspirators after interrogation.
Fraser claims that the housekeeper and the alleged perpetrators were later paid nearly N$150 000 for their silence. The housekeeper was allegedly later reinstated but assigned to a different job on the farm.
One of the suspects fled to Namibia. Ramaphosa then allegedly enlisted the assistance of Geingob, who allegedly dispatched police officers to apprehend the suspect and hand him over to Rhoode, who recovered some of the stolen money.
The Namibian Police arrested David on 14 June 2020 for allegedly crossing into Namibia via the Orange River at Rooiwal near Noordoewer. The police said David was aided to cross into Namibia by police officer Hendrik Nghete from the tourism subdivision at Lüderitz, who assisted him to get to Windhoek.
Former Fishcor acting chief executive officer Paulus Ngalangi reportedly transported David to Windhoek from Noordoewer in his BMW X5. Ngalangi, however, has denied knowing David.
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