Africa-Press – Namibia. MEMBERS of the Former Refugees Repatriation Association of Namibia are demanding an increase in their monthly allowances of N$2 200.
The group of more than 50 liberation struggle veterans yesterday gathered at Zoo Park in Windhoek.
In a petition, the group’s founder, Matheus Nangolo, said their monthly allowance is discriminatory and insufficient.
“Most of our comrades are receiving N$2 200 per month. How does our government expect us veterans to survive like this?
“We are demanding that this amount is increased above the level of inflation,” he said.
Nangolo said some veterans receive N$5 000 to N$7 000 on top of the N$2 200.
“We understand that some top officers and officials who are retired are receiving different amounts, ranging from N$18 000 to
N$80 000.
“Why, if we were all fighting together? During the war, we all had one aim: to liberate Namibia,” he said.
Nangolo demanded equal payment and treatment for all veterans.
He said social grants should not be viewed as basic salaries for veterans.
“Our fellow freedom fighters in Zimbabwe and South Africa are all receiving equal amounts. Why is it not the same here?
“We are also demanding the inclusion of our children born in exile to be registered with the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, so they can get all the benefits since their parents are deceased,” he said.
Nangolo said most veterans are living in shacks and deplorable conditions.
“To our dismay, we learned that the provision of houses to veterans was removed as a benefit in 2020. Housing should be provided to all veterans without conditions attached,” he said.
Nangolo said they are demanding quotas and individual shareholding certificates in the fishing and mining industries.
“We also want to get shares in the mining sector in our country as veterans of the liberation struggle. If it’s the fishing quotas or the mining concessions, we want the children born in exile to be included, because their parents died for the liberation of Namibia,” he said.
The group is also demanding the removal of the minister of veterans affairs Frans Kapofi, and his deputy, Hilma Nicanor.
Kapofi and Nicanor could yesterday not be reached for comment.
“We request the Department of Veterans Affairs to be removed from the ministry of defence and to be made a ministry on its own. We also want veterans’ affairs to be led by the veterans and children born in exile,” he said.
National Assembly secretary Lydia Kandetu yesterday received the petition on behalf of parliamentarians.
“I am going to hand it over to the speaker, who will table it in the house and will refer it to a committee that will deal with it.
I just want to assure you that positive results will come out of this,” she said.
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