Officials abusing military benefits – Kapofi
Minister not happy with August 26 Logistics fraud saga
• Nathinge should have known better
• Military indiscipline irks Kapofi
• Army recruitment is 'very inclusive'
The defence minister says lust for money is the root cause of corruption within military ranks.
Defence minister Frans Kapofi yesterday said there are officials within military ranks profiteering from the benefits and camouflage offered by the defence machinery.
However, he was quick to point out that ill-disciplined soldiers should not be misconstrued as a reflection of the entire army.
This follows an avalanche of incidents in which soldiers were found breaking the law, including the suspension of board chairperson of August 26 Logistics, Petrus Nathinge, who also serves as the ministry’s deputy executive director. He was suspended over a dubious transfer of N$2.5 million from August 26 Logistics’ bank account to Penda Enterprises CC.
Kapofi said he cannot understand why “well-educated and well-trained” major-general Nathinge got entangled in the fraud saga at the army’s commercial wing.
“I am not happy with what is happening there [August 26 Logistics]. Of course, if you look at Nathinge, he is a very senior member in the Namibia Defence Force [NDF] and I am being informed about what happened there. I am still waiting to hear what exactly transpired.
“He is well-educated [and] well-trained, so we have to understand what led to this,” Kapofi said during an interview with Namibian Sun on a range of issues, including the perceived dwindling levels of discipline within the military.
He added that the recent suspensions at August 26 Logistics and swirling corruption allegations are being handled by the company board, and he will be informed once investigations are concluded.
‘Money lust’
Meanwhile, Kapofi said he believes soldiers found in possession of contraband whisky and cigarettes at the Oshivelo police checkpoint earlier this month were driven by ‘money lust’, but came short of admitting that soldiers are underpaid.
“Money is never enough to anybody. Even billionaires are trading daily to get more money. It is wrong. They are the security of the country and it is a cause for concern.
“I am sure the driving force is because they want to make money by concealing fast-moving commodities to catch up with the demand. And military vehicles were used to conceal these products because they know the NDF vehicles usually just get a salute. But the police have realised that something is going on,” he said.
The minister hastened to add that these are “individual soldiers and not platoon members representing the army”.
‘Strong and ready’
Kapofi said he found the NDF in a “strong and very ready” state when he took over as minister, adding that it is unfortunate that these minor incidents are tarnishing the image of the force.
The former police minister added that even in this sound state, there is certainly room for improvement, and willpower is there to make these necessary improvements.
On ongoing claims of recruitment exclusion of minority tribal groups, he insisted that Namibia and his ministry uphold a ‘one Namibia, one nation’ policy that is entrenched throughout.
“We take everybody on board, but you have a saying that ‘you have the horse and you can take it to the water, but you cannot make it drink’.”
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However, he was quick to point out that ill-disciplined soldiers should not be misconstrued as a reflection of the entire army.
This follows an avalanche of incidents in which soldiers were found breaking the law, including the suspension of board chairperson of August 26 Logistics, Petrus Nathinge, who also serves as the ministry’s deputy executive director. He was suspended over a dubious transfer of N$2.5 million from August 26 Logistics’ bank account to Penda Enterprises CC.
Kapofi said he cannot understand why “well-educated and well-trained” major-general Nathinge got entangled in the fraud saga at the army’s commercial wing.
“I am not happy with what is happening there [August 26 Logistics]. Of course, if you look at Nathinge, he is a very senior member in the Namibia Defence Force [NDF] and I am being informed about what happened there. I am still waiting to hear what exactly transpired.
“He is well-educated [and] well-trained, so we have to understand what led to this,” Kapofi said during an interview with Namibian Sun on a range of issues, including the perceived dwindling levels of discipline within the military.
He added that the recent suspensions at August 26 Logistics and swirling corruption allegations are being handled by the company board, and he will be informed once investigations are concluded.
‘Money lust’
Meanwhile, Kapofi said he believes soldiers found in possession of contraband whisky and cigarettes at the Oshivelo police checkpoint earlier this month were driven by ‘money lust’, but came short of admitting that soldiers are underpaid.
“Money is never enough to anybody. Even billionaires are trading daily to get more money. It is wrong. They are the security of the country and it is a cause for concern.
“I am sure the driving force is because they want to make money by concealing fast-moving commodities to catch up with the demand. And military vehicles were used to conceal these products because they know the NDF vehicles usually just get a salute. But the police have realised that something is going on,” he said.
The minister hastened to add that these are “individual soldiers and not platoon members representing the army”.
‘Strong and ready’
Kapofi said he found the NDF in a “strong and very ready” state when he took over as minister, adding that it is unfortunate that these minor incidents are tarnishing the image of the force.
The former police minister added that even in this sound state, there is certainly room for improvement, and willpower is there to make these necessary improvements.
On ongoing claims of recruitment exclusion of minority tribal groups, he insisted that Namibia and his ministry uphold a ‘one Namibia, one nation’ policy that is entrenched throughout.
“We take everybody on board, but you have a saying that ‘you have the horse and you can take it to the water, but you cannot make it drink’.”
[email protected]
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