Namvet packs up… for now

Ex-soldiers organised under the Namibia War Veterans Trust (Namvet) have decided to return to their homes until 12 September, when they expect a parliamentary report on their plight.The short reprieve comes after an over two-and-a-half-year sit-in demonstration at the Red Flag Commando Hall in Katutura, as an attempt to pressurise government into recognising them as military veterans.The decision to return to their homes was communicated at a meeting on Saturday, where Namvet members from across the country converged to discuss the way forward.The anticipated report is being prepared by the Standing Committee on Security, Constitutional and Legal Affairs, chaired by Swapo MP Sebastiaan Karupu and requested by National Assembly Speaker, Peter Katjavivi.The speaker's office has informed Namvet the report will be out in September.“If we are not happy with the findings and recommendations of the report, we will march to Katjavivi's office without notifying anyone,” Namvet chairperson, Jabulani Ndeunyema, threatened on Saturday.Ndeunyema, however, told the meeting that after the 12 letters between Namvet and the government during this year alone, and the number of meetings the organisation has had with the authorities over the years, he thinks the former soldiers might receive certain benefits from government.“I do not know when, but I am sure that some benefits are coming our way,” Ndeunyema said. He said Namvet is also giving the government until 1 December to give a final declaration on the matter of the former South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) and Koevoet members.He said Namvet will also elect a new leadership on 1 December that will be strictly made up of people who do not hold any positions in any political party. Namvet regional organisers have reported how former soldiers have fallen into despair, depression, alcoholism, patterns of violence and abuse, homelessness and joblessness.Some also reported how former SWATF/Koevoet members who have found employment in government do not want to be associated with their fellow ex-soldiers.Ndeunyema cautioned the former soldiers not associate themselves with organisations such as Amabuthutu that have claimed thousands in membership and other fees, and have bussed these soldiers to South Africa in fruitless attempts to obtain compensation from the neighbouring country's government. CATHERINE SASMAN

Namvet packs up… for now

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-30

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Namvet packs up… for now

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-30

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