Officials split over hero’s funeral for Hawala

Government officials are divided over whether to grant a hero’s funeral to Solomon 'Jesus' Hawala, the former chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) widely associated with alleged human rights abuses in Swapo’s detainee camps in Angola during the liberation struggle.Hawala, who was nicknamed the 'Butcher of Lubango' for the alleged atrocities, died yesterday in northern Namibia at the age of 89.A deputy commander of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), Swapo’s military wing, Hawala is regarded by many as one of the central figures in Namibia’s war for independence.Following independence in 1990, he was appointed army commander in the NDF before succeeding Dimo Hamaambo as chief of the defence force in 2000. Hawala retired in 2006 and was replaced by Martin Shalli.A complex legacyWithin Swapo and government circles, Hawala is remembered as both a liberation icon and a controversial figure accused of overseeing serious abuses.State officials told Namibian Sun that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah may be facing a dilemma over the matter.“Because of Jesus’ complex history, the president might use the current moratorium on state funerals as an easy way out not to give him one,” one official speculated. “There are also genuine questions on whether, given his history, Hawala is still a hero. Declaring him as such would just be a sore reminder of the atrocities that the victims – many of whom are still alive – endured.”Yesterday, several Swapo leaders declined to comment when asked about Hawala’s life and legacy.Former Swapo secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, one of PLAN’s first woman fighters, said she did not work closely enough with Hawala to offer a fair assessment.Former president Nangolo Mbumba said he was still in shock over the news of Hawala’s passing and could not comment. Hawala’s successor as NDF chief, Shalli, added: “I am still mourning and thus can’t comment. My views would probably be shared during memorial events in his honour.”Victims’ groups criticalBreaking the Wall of Silence (BWS), a non-governmental organisation representing survivors of alleged Swapo detention abuses, accused Swapo and its government of shielding Hawala from accountability.“Today we are disappointed, because Hawala never spent a day to answer and give account for his diabolic actions against fellow Namibians in exile,” BWS chairperson Oiva Hangula said.“Hiding behind the colonial blanket amnesty proclamation – which is contrary to national and international laws – the Swapo-led government reneged on its moral duty to investigate crimes committed by both colonial South Africa and Swapo against innocent Namibians during our fight for independence.”Honoured and decoratedIn March 2004, Hawala was awarded the medal for “gallantry and heroism” by then-president Sam Nujoma, alongside nine others.“These individuals are chosen and honoured for the valuable contributions that they have made to the liberation and socio-economic development of our country,” Nujoma – who himself died in February this year – said at the ceremony.Hawala would have turned 90 on 6 September. Preparations had been underway for a birthday celebration at his home village of Ohakweenyanga in the Oshana region.

Officials split over hero’s funeral for Hawala

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-12

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Officials split over hero’s funeral for Hawala

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-12

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