Africa-Press – Namibia. INDEPENDENT Patriots for Change (IPC) Ohangwena mobiliser Abed Hishoono, who was ordered by the court to pay N$250 000 to first lady Monica Geingos in February, says he is struggling to raise the money.
Hishoono was sued for having made slanderous claims about Geingos in a video recording distributed via WhatsApp in February last year.
The IPC member took to social media recently to say that he would have to use his holiday to stage fundraising activities in order to settle the lawsuit.
“This holiday, I dedicate to fundraising for Monica Geingos. I will be announcing places and venues that I will be visiting with my begging bowl. Good Samaritans out there, I am on my way to the place near you. Any amount will make a difference,” he posted.
Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Hishoono said after the court’s judgement, some people created groups on social media to raise funds to assist him.
“A Standard Bank account was created and an amount of N$20 000 was raised so far. I am still lagging behind with N$230 000. This will be my first installment to the lawsuit,” Hishoono said.
He said he would visit regions such as Ohangwena, Oshana, Erongo and Khomas, to carry out his activities.
Hishoono said the lawsuit has negatively affected his family, since he is the breadwinner.
“I told the court that they must at least be lenient but they did not change, and slapped me with such a huge amount. It’s a rule from the court so I cannot do anything but to sacrifice every penny I have,” he said.
“I even just got married recently before the lawsuit, and I told the first lady in court that I cannot afford that. Things are not going well with me anymore.”
Hishoono said he regrets making the defamatory statement.
“As an upcoming politician, I didn’t know what I was really talking about at the time. It is something I wasn’t prepared for and I am sincerely sorry to the first lady,” he said.
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