Adam Hartman
29 October 2007
Swakopmund — ABOUT half of Swakopmund's shebeens that receive a free supply of condoms from NGOs in an attempt to fight the spread of HIV are selling them to customers - sometimes for as much as N$8 per packet of four.
According to a recent survey by the Swakopmund District AIDS Committee (DAC), about 50 per cent of those who answered a questionnaire on condom supply, availability and distribution indicated that they sold the condoms to users.
DAC's District Officer, Martin Nepembe, told The Namibian that about 25 shebeens in Swakopmund were approached during the survey, and he believed that the results were reflective of all the shebeens in the town.
"In fact; it would be interesting to know whether this result is not reflective of all the shebeens in Namibia," he said.
"After all, the fight against the spread of HIV is a national issue, and condoms are being distributed free of charge on a national level with the full support of the Namibian Government."
He said it was disappointing that some people were profiteering from free condoms.
He said the survey was done after people complained to the committee that they could not get free condoms at shebeens late at night.
Shebeen owners apparently charge as much as N$1,50 per condom, or N$8 for a packet of four.
"We are very disappointed in the mentality of these people," said Nepembe.
"While we are trying to fight the dreaded pandemic, and assisting Government in promoting safe sex by giving out free condoms to these places, they are making a profit from it."
He said that profit came at the expense of people's health because it limited their opportunity to have safe sex and exposed them to HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
"These shebeeners do not share the vision of a 'taking control', and caring for other. In this case they are just caring for themselves at the cost of others' lives," he said.
Nepembe warned that shebeens selling condoms that they received free of charge were committing a "moral offence".
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