Africa-Press – Namibia. The ex-Koevoet and the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan) fighters gathered on Friday at the Katutura Youth Centre and threatened to hold a peaceful demonstration at State House if the government does not respond to their pleas to return part of the N$36 million they claim was given to them by the apartheid government.
They also said they would be going to protest where former presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba have residences.
At the gathering, one of the Plan fighters, Phillipus Shipulwa, said: “It is now 32 years after independence, but until today the Namibian government has failed to meet our demand.”
According to Shipulwa, the government should return part of the N$36 million apartheid authorities provided in 1992 as payment to former soldiers.
Shipulwa added that they have written many petitions, but their cries have not been heard.
“How many petitions and letters have we written to our leaders and they have not responded to any. Therefore, the time for writing letters is over. We are human beings and not ghosts, and it is time for justice and truth,” he added.
“We are going to demonstrate at State House, where founding president Sam Nujoma lives and where former president Hifikepunye Pohamba lives. We are taking this matter seriously, so they should take us seriously,” Shipulwa added.
In 1992, the former South African government paid over N$36 million to Namibia for former South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) and ex-Koevoet soldiers in the spirit of reconciliation, but, according to reports, the Namibian government divided the money up into three N$12 million parts.
The Namibian reported at the time that N$12 million was paid to ex-SWATF and ex-Koevoet members, another N$12 million was given to former Plan fighters, while the remaining N$12 million went into the now defunct Development Brigade Corporation.
Present at the gathering was the leader of the Namibian youth power organisation, Paulus Ndaulita, who offered support for the veterans.
They also said they would be going to protest where former presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba have residences.
At the gathering, one of the Plan fighters, Phillipus Shipulwa, said: “It is now 32 years after independence, but until today the Namibian government has failed to meet our demand.”
According to Shipulwa, the government should return part of the N$36 million apartheid authorities provided in 1992 as payment to former soldiers.
Shipulwa added that they have written many petitions, but their cries have not been heard.
“How many petitions and letters have we written to our leaders and they have not responded to any. Therefore, the time for writing letters is over. We are human beings and not ghosts, and it is time for justice and truth,” he added.
“We are going to demonstrate at State House, where founding president Sam Nujoma lives and where former president Hifikepunye Pohamba lives. We are taking this matter seriously, so they should take us seriously,” Shipulwa added.
In 1992, the former South African government paid over N$36 million to Namibia for former South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) and ex-Koevoet soldiers in the spirit of reconciliation, but, according to reports, the Namibian government divided the money up into three N$12 million parts.
The Namibian reported at the time that N$12 million was paid to ex-SWATF and ex-Koevoet members, another N$12 million was given to former Plan fighters, while the remaining N$12 million went into the now defunct Development Brigade Corporation.
Present at the gathering was the leader of the Namibian youth power organisation, Paulus Ndaulita, who offered support for the veterans.
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I prefer to see the solution on the issue of the ex-Swatf concerning their pension payouts. Swapo killed innocent people and left some in dungeons being unattended, mostly the Caprivians. They also used to kidnap school kids to go fight for blood liberation struggle. But nobody is pointing a croocked finger at them. Why blaming Swatf now? Swatf and Plan are internationally innocent in this war. The culprits here are Boers and Swapo who used the Namibian people to fight their blood war for the reason of supremacy in Namibia. Give Swatf and even Plan what belongs to them and don’t hana-hana.