Geingob’s ‘Farmgate’ saga not my baby - Ombudsman
Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha says his office has no mandate to investigate allegations against President
Hage Geingob.
Speaking during a press conference yesterday, he said he dissected a complaint filed by the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) regarding Geingob’s alleged involvement in the cover-up of a robbery at South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in 2020, but his office does not have the authority to investigate foreign matters, let alone a security breach by foreigners.
"My office does not have the power to investigate foreigners. In my opinion, the complaint submitted by NEFF on 8 June falls outside of my mandate.
“The words and concepts were in reference to violations of criminal law. Words such as 'money laundering’, 'connive with officials to conceal paper trail of foreign and local subjects' is not part of our jurisdiction," he said.
He added that although his office cannot investigate, they will refer NEFF to the appropriate office to do so.
Asked whether the basis of his office’s refusal to investigate was because of a lack of evidence or because the NEFF failed to express itself correctly, Dyakugha said he would rather have a private discussion with the party to discuss the way forward.
Following instructions
NEFF deputy president Kalimbo Iipumbu argued that Dyakugha did not respond in accordance with his office's main purpose.
"Your job was and is to see what transpired until suspects were arrested in Namibia. You [saying] that you cannot continue to investigate means that there is an instruction from the highest authority that is directing you to not investigate this case," he said.
Iipumbu further called the ombudsman's office "a duplicate of the Anti-Corruption Commission", adding that such an office is not needed in Namibia.
"Whoever will come after us to lodge a complaint with your office will waste their time. It is highlighted in our constitution that whoever is found violating it should be brought to book."
He said the party's members will deliberate and take further action.
Absurd
The Namibian presidency last week called the allegations against the president "absurd and unnecessary".
"There is absolutely no truth in the allegations that Geingob used his office improperly to assist president Ramaphosa."
An expose surfaced earlier this month, accusing Imanuwela David (37) of being the mastermind behind the Phala Phala robbery in early 2020 when N$65 million was allegedly stolen.
Hage Geingob.
Speaking during a press conference yesterday, he said he dissected a complaint filed by the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) regarding Geingob’s alleged involvement in the cover-up of a robbery at South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in 2020, but his office does not have the authority to investigate foreign matters, let alone a security breach by foreigners.
"My office does not have the power to investigate foreigners. In my opinion, the complaint submitted by NEFF on 8 June falls outside of my mandate.
“The words and concepts were in reference to violations of criminal law. Words such as 'money laundering’, 'connive with officials to conceal paper trail of foreign and local subjects' is not part of our jurisdiction," he said.
He added that although his office cannot investigate, they will refer NEFF to the appropriate office to do so.
Asked whether the basis of his office’s refusal to investigate was because of a lack of evidence or because the NEFF failed to express itself correctly, Dyakugha said he would rather have a private discussion with the party to discuss the way forward.
Following instructions
NEFF deputy president Kalimbo Iipumbu argued that Dyakugha did not respond in accordance with his office's main purpose.
"Your job was and is to see what transpired until suspects were arrested in Namibia. You [saying] that you cannot continue to investigate means that there is an instruction from the highest authority that is directing you to not investigate this case," he said.
Iipumbu further called the ombudsman's office "a duplicate of the Anti-Corruption Commission", adding that such an office is not needed in Namibia.
"Whoever will come after us to lodge a complaint with your office will waste their time. It is highlighted in our constitution that whoever is found violating it should be brought to book."
He said the party's members will deliberate and take further action.
Absurd
The Namibian presidency last week called the allegations against the president "absurd and unnecessary".
"There is absolutely no truth in the allegations that Geingob used his office improperly to assist president Ramaphosa."
An expose surfaced earlier this month, accusing Imanuwela David (37) of being the mastermind behind the Phala Phala robbery in early 2020 when N$65 million was allegedly stolen.
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