Embattled Nelongo’s family torn apart
ILENI NANDJATO
The ongoing stock-theft shenanigans unfolding around Swapo Oshana regional coordinator Samuel Nelongo, amid allegations that he is being targeted because he did not support President Hage Geingob and his slate ahead of last November’s ruling party congress, delivered a fresh twist this week.
Nameless keyboard warriors who had written several one-sided social media pieces under the banner of ‘Breaking News’ ahead of the congress re-emerged recently to claim that Nelongo’s cousin Gideon Abner was conspiring against him.
Abner has challenged the ‘Breaking News’ writers to produce evidence backing up their claims.
He also told Namibian Sun his family is now divided and everywhere he goes, people are labelling him a “traitor”. He also fears Nelongo may believe that he had “really set him up”.
‘Breaking News’ alleged that Abner was employed by Oshana governor Clemens Kashuupulwa and regional council chairperson Gerson Hannu Kapenda, to make sure that Nelongo was arrested.
The social media article went viral on WhatsApp and Facebook following Nelongo’s second nabbing on 5 March for stock theft, after his initial arrest on similar charges last month.
‘Breaking News’ also explicitly linked Nelongo’s arrests to the “continuous reckoning madness” being meted out to those who supported candidates of pre-congress faction known as Team Swapo.
‘Breaking News’ said further that a police officer had phoned Nelongo’s sister to warn her that Kapenda and Kashuupulwa wanted him arrested.
“Sources further revealed how the whole ploy was played, as you will begin to see now. The two leaders, according to the sources, used one Gideon Abner who is a cousin to Mr Nelongo, and Sacky who is an Angolan employed by one farmer in Ondiamande to look after cattle. It is said that Hannu paid Sacky an amount of close to N$2 000 in order for him to join Gideon (sic).
“Sources at the cuca shops somewhere in their area informed this reporter that Sacky confirmed being paid for this. Surprisingly enough, Hannu also employed Gideon to spy on Nelongo in collaboration with Sacky, in order to ensure that Nelongo is arrested no matter what. The duo of Kashuupulwa and Hannu made sure that Sacky is properly prepared in order to execute his duties,” ‘Breaking News’ claimed.
Abner vehemently denied he had anything to do with Nelongo’s arrest and added he had never spied on his relative. He also denied ever meeting Kapenda or Kashuupulwa.
Abner said the untrue gossip has created divisions in his family and the community is now labelling him a traitor.
“I have not heard from Nelongo yet, but after I read all these things and hearing from the community, it’s purely that the public have a perception that I reported Nelongo. Even in my house people are talking that I have an issue with Nelongo.
“Those having information that I reported Nelongo must come out and prove it. I am ready to defend myself, even in court. Those behind ‘Breaking News’ must know what to say instead of fabricating stories,” Abner said.
Kapenda also refuted the claims, saying they are devoid of any truth.
“I am also investigating where such information came from. Some of the people mentioned, including Abner, I do not know them,” Kapenda said.
Nelongo's rearrest on 5 March followed a series of police investigations after he was first nabbed while transporting suspected stolen cattle with a party vehicle in the Oshikoto Region on 11 February.
Nelongo appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Ilge Rheent on 13 February and was formally charged with stock theft. He was granted N$2 000 bail and the matter was postponed until 9 April.
The Oshana police have also reportedly been investigating Nelongo for stock theft. The alleged crimes were committed between 2016 and 2017.
The ongoing stock-theft shenanigans unfolding around Swapo Oshana regional coordinator Samuel Nelongo, amid allegations that he is being targeted because he did not support President Hage Geingob and his slate ahead of last November’s ruling party congress, delivered a fresh twist this week.
Nameless keyboard warriors who had written several one-sided social media pieces under the banner of ‘Breaking News’ ahead of the congress re-emerged recently to claim that Nelongo’s cousin Gideon Abner was conspiring against him.
Abner has challenged the ‘Breaking News’ writers to produce evidence backing up their claims.
He also told Namibian Sun his family is now divided and everywhere he goes, people are labelling him a “traitor”. He also fears Nelongo may believe that he had “really set him up”.
‘Breaking News’ alleged that Abner was employed by Oshana governor Clemens Kashuupulwa and regional council chairperson Gerson Hannu Kapenda, to make sure that Nelongo was arrested.
The social media article went viral on WhatsApp and Facebook following Nelongo’s second nabbing on 5 March for stock theft, after his initial arrest on similar charges last month.
‘Breaking News’ also explicitly linked Nelongo’s arrests to the “continuous reckoning madness” being meted out to those who supported candidates of pre-congress faction known as Team Swapo.
‘Breaking News’ said further that a police officer had phoned Nelongo’s sister to warn her that Kapenda and Kashuupulwa wanted him arrested.
“Sources further revealed how the whole ploy was played, as you will begin to see now. The two leaders, according to the sources, used one Gideon Abner who is a cousin to Mr Nelongo, and Sacky who is an Angolan employed by one farmer in Ondiamande to look after cattle. It is said that Hannu paid Sacky an amount of close to N$2 000 in order for him to join Gideon (sic).
“Sources at the cuca shops somewhere in their area informed this reporter that Sacky confirmed being paid for this. Surprisingly enough, Hannu also employed Gideon to spy on Nelongo in collaboration with Sacky, in order to ensure that Nelongo is arrested no matter what. The duo of Kashuupulwa and Hannu made sure that Sacky is properly prepared in order to execute his duties,” ‘Breaking News’ claimed.
Abner vehemently denied he had anything to do with Nelongo’s arrest and added he had never spied on his relative. He also denied ever meeting Kapenda or Kashuupulwa.
Abner said the untrue gossip has created divisions in his family and the community is now labelling him a traitor.
“I have not heard from Nelongo yet, but after I read all these things and hearing from the community, it’s purely that the public have a perception that I reported Nelongo. Even in my house people are talking that I have an issue with Nelongo.
“Those having information that I reported Nelongo must come out and prove it. I am ready to defend myself, even in court. Those behind ‘Breaking News’ must know what to say instead of fabricating stories,” Abner said.
Kapenda also refuted the claims, saying they are devoid of any truth.
“I am also investigating where such information came from. Some of the people mentioned, including Abner, I do not know them,” Kapenda said.
Nelongo's rearrest on 5 March followed a series of police investigations after he was first nabbed while transporting suspected stolen cattle with a party vehicle in the Oshikoto Region on 11 February.
Nelongo appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Ilge Rheent on 13 February and was formally charged with stock theft. He was granted N$2 000 bail and the matter was postponed until 9 April.
The Oshana police have also reportedly been investigating Nelongo for stock theft. The alleged crimes were committed between 2016 and 2017.
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