Kuvee Kangueehi
14 April 2008
Windhoek — The Minister of Veterans Affairs, Dr Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, has been receiving death threats from suspected former members of the South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) or Koevoet.
Speaking to New Era, Tjiriange confirmed the death threats and said staff members informed him that there is a group of people who were holding meetings and planning to kill him.
Tjiriange said he was informed that the "group wants to eliminate me physically and are planning to burn down my farm". The farm is situated in the Omaheke region.
The minister said he is not taking the threats lightly. He has reported the matter to the State security structures, including the head of the Namibian Police, Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga. Tjiriange said the death threats started after the Veterans Bill was passed through Parliament at the end of last year.
He noted that the former SWATF members seem to be angry with the fact that the Veterans Act only makes a provision for people who fought for the liberation of the country to receive a monthly allowance of N$2000.
The Veterans Affairs Minister said the decision to pay only those that contributed to the liberation struggle is not his personal decision. The Bill was debated in Parliament by all the political parties and passed by the entire Parliament.
Opposition political parties expressed concern with the Veterans Act and said the Act goes against the principles of the policy of national reconciliation as it discriminates against people who participated in the war as soldiers for the then racist South African regime.
The political parties also felt that it is unfair that the Swapo Party Government would only give allowances to veterans that are mostly from the Swapo Party, while the pension money, which was given to the SWATF was shared with former Plan combatants.
Contacted for comment, Ndeitunga confirmed to New Era yesterday that indeed he has received a letter from the Minister of Veterans Affairs informing him about the death threats coming from former Koevoet and SWATF members.
Ndeitunga said security around Tjiriange has been beefed up while the threats are being investigated. He added that since the information is still vague, an investigation has been launched to determine exactly which group of former Koevoet or SWATF members is threatening Tjiriange. He warned that State security agents would not tolerate any threats, adding that Namibia is a democratic State governed by the rule of law.
He noted that a death threat is a criminal offence and people who are making these threats are liable to prosecution. He urged the disgruntled ex-Koevoet or SWATF members to address their grievances through the right channels and not to try and unsettle the country.
Ndeitunga said his office is making efforts to establish where the threats are coming from.
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