‘Opportunists’ eye veteran status

Government has picked up a trend where ‘opportunists’ are cheating the system to be accorded war veteran status, leaving those who genuinely deserve it on the sidelines.This is according to Omusati governor Erginus Endjala, who also expressed concern that destitute people who contributed to the liberation struggle remain on the periphery.His comments come at the time when the defence and veterans affairs ministry’s appeal board is conducting sessions in the Omusati Region where close to 600 Namibians are presenting their cases for the second time. These are applicants whose initial application for veteran status was rejected, Endjala told Namibian Sun on Wednesday.“They are given a second chance to present additional evidence. The process is like examinations. There are standard questions and then there are those tricky questions,” he said. Endjala added that some people heard stories about the liberation struggle and present it like their own, telling the story as though they experienced it. Later, when the questions get “too deep” - about who their instructor or commander was - that is when the truth is revealed, he said.‘There’s no way’“At times, the committee also looks at the [applicant’s] age. Some people were born in 1986, but they claim they assisted the Swapo soldiers. There’s no way. We are not saying you have not seen them come for cover in your house or village, but to render assistance at that age is almost impossible," he said.The governor said the committee also calls in witnesses who can vouch for and add weight to the applicants’ stories. “This is why they have to go through the interview. You have to satisfy the panel,” he said. Documents to carry Each petitioner is expected to bring along his/her original ID card and a sworn declaration from a witness stating the activities performed by the applicant during the liberation struggle. Such a witness must not be a relative. The sessions, which kicked off on 20 May, will take place at the ministry’s offices in Outapi until 7 June. A total of 122, the Outapi constituency has the highest number of people appealing the rejection of their alleged veteran status. Okahao constituency only has five people contesting the rejection, while Anamulenge has 120, Elim 22, Okalongo 74, Onesi 38, Oshikuku 20, Etayi 23 and Otamanzi 16. In the Ruacana constituency, 114 people are appealing, while in Tsandi and Ogongo, 20 and 29 people will be interviewed again respectively.tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

‘Opportunists’ eye veteran status

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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‘Opportunists’ eye veteran status

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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