Swapo must apologise for Fishrot – Itula
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) wants the ruling Swapo Party to apologise for the hardships caused by the infamous Fishrot scandal, through which over N$150 million was allegedly looted through bribes in the country’s lucrative fishing sector.
Calls for Swapo to atone were made by party leader Panduleni Itula, who said Namibians suffered immeasurable damage because of the bribery scandal involving former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau and former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala.
This follows comments made last week by defence minister Frans Kapofi that the Swapo Party should not be linked to the corruption scandal - despite a Supreme Court judgment that the party had, in fact, benefitted from Fishrot.
“Is it not time perhaps for any courageous leader in that party to stand up and apologise to the Namibian people because of the actions of your party in stealing the wealth of the people? Will they ever acknowledge anything?” Itula wanted to know during an address to celebrate his party’s third anniversary.
Shocking
Itula said Kapofi’s denial about Swapo’s involvement in the scandal was shocking, especially given admissions – made under oath - that the party benefitted monetarily.
“It is shocking when you have political leaders stating that funds that have been stolen were not given to the political party... Yet our leaders came out [to say] that what has been stated under oath is not true. Yet we’ve got two ministers in prison because of the theft of natural resources,” he said.
He also took a dig at Khomas Region governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua, who said she would do away with democracy if it was up to her.
“There are some of them, they wish democracy never existed in Namibia. If you are prepared to leave this country because you hate democracy, because you don’t respect the will of the people of Namibia, then it’s time to start marching,” Itula said.
Calls for Swapo to atone were made by party leader Panduleni Itula, who said Namibians suffered immeasurable damage because of the bribery scandal involving former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau and former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala.
This follows comments made last week by defence minister Frans Kapofi that the Swapo Party should not be linked to the corruption scandal - despite a Supreme Court judgment that the party had, in fact, benefitted from Fishrot.
“Is it not time perhaps for any courageous leader in that party to stand up and apologise to the Namibian people because of the actions of your party in stealing the wealth of the people? Will they ever acknowledge anything?” Itula wanted to know during an address to celebrate his party’s third anniversary.
Shocking
Itula said Kapofi’s denial about Swapo’s involvement in the scandal was shocking, especially given admissions – made under oath - that the party benefitted monetarily.
“It is shocking when you have political leaders stating that funds that have been stolen were not given to the political party... Yet our leaders came out [to say] that what has been stated under oath is not true. Yet we’ve got two ministers in prison because of the theft of natural resources,” he said.
He also took a dig at Khomas Region governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua, who said she would do away with democracy if it was up to her.
“There are some of them, they wish democracy never existed in Namibia. If you are prepared to leave this country because you hate democracy, because you don’t respect the will of the people of Namibia, then it’s time to start marching,” Itula said.
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