Swapo orders govt to pay veterans

The recent Swapo congress has adopted a resolution ordering government to ensure veterans of the liberation struggle are paid all their outstanding monies before 2024.The directive is seen to be aimed at appeasing veterans, who are at loggerheads with government over unpaid project monies, ahead of the crunch 2024 general election.“The party directs government to fully realise the cash payout of veterans of the liberation struggle before 2024, and to accelerate and finalise the application by the veterans’ association for affiliation membership,” the draft resolution read.Another resolution adopted to improve the lives of veterans involved agriculture projects for which veterans are listed as beneficiaries.“The Swapo Party directs government to implement a targeted agricultural empowerment programme for youth, women, people with disabilities, marginalised communities and the veterans of the national liberation struggle.”Finding resourcesIn October, defence and veteran affairs minister Frans Kapofi said while government shared the plight of liberation combatants, it had competing priorities to attend to.“Government funds everyone. It cannot only fund veterans’ projects. We just have to be content with what we have.“We have lost comrades in the war. They have not been able to get even one cent. Not even their own children. Those of us who are here today should be grateful for what government is doing for us,” he said at the time.When contacted yesterday for comment on Swapo’s directive, Kapofi, who was also a delegate at the congress, said: "It is only implementable given available resources. Those resolutions will have to be adopted by government. All resolutions adopted will be considered and government will look at those that can be adopted".Kapofi, who was nominated for Swapo vice-president before quitting the race in its formative stages, added: "For now, I hope government will be able to find those resource to attend to that before 2024".Won’t back downThe Plan Combatants Association said while it sympathises with government over its precarious financial position, it will not back down from its demands.Chairperson Bamba Nghipandua welcomed Swapo’s move, saying he was happy it was adopted at party level.“I have no different view. We are the ones who proposed that resolution at the national policy conference. It is good that congress adopted it,” he said.He added that veterans were dying and it was only fair that they be rewarded while still alive.“The combatants are ageing and the rate of death is very high. I know some people want to link it to the election, but it is not like that. We based the argument on the life expectancy, which is around 65.“This form of payment was meant to sustain them during their useful lives.”Not our problemNghipandua added that while they were aware of government’s money troubles, it was imperative the finances be secured to fund combatants’ payouts.“Whether government has money, it is not an issue to us. Government has been delaying, giving a lot of excuses. It is up to government to see where they source these funds,” he said.Combatants’ patience is wearing thin, he added.“Former combatants are also losing patience. A hungry man is an angry man.”

Swapo orders govt to pay veterans

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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Swapo orders govt to pay veterans

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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