Windhoek — Claims by the National Society of Human Rights (NSHR) that it has discovered mass graves in southern Angola, a few kilometres from the border with Namibia, with remains of 18 people executed by Angolan and Namibian soldiers in 1999 appear to be unfounded as investigations by the Government prove contrary.

Delivering a ministerial statement in the National Assembly yesterday, the Minister of Safety and Security, Nickey Iyambo, revealed that according to an investigation carried out by his ministry, Phil ya Nangoloh, NSHR director, has failed to lead them to the mass graves. Instead he led them to a single grave that has been known since 1972.

According to the minister, Ya Nangoloh, took the investigators to a grave at Ohauwanga village where five people, whose identities are known, are buried.

Iyambo revealed the names of the five people and said they were killed and buried in that grave by the South African Security Forces (SASF) on January 31, 1972.

The killing took place on a Sunday after a church service at Epinga near the Anglican Perish. The massacre took place because people were involved in political mobilisation.

"They destroyed the border cut-line fence and cattle kraals and this grave site is not mysterious because Mi-nister Jerry Ekandjo visited the area in 2001.

"The grave site is known by local people and the locals gather every year before or on the 26th August to remember the fallen heroes."

The minister added that residents of the village confirmed this in sworn statements and among them are a local priest and local people

who were injured on that fateful day.

Iyambo noted that Ya Nangoloh realised that the truth was about to be revealed and did not return to Windhoek as promised and remained in the area, contacting local people regarding the gravesite.

Despite an earlier promise that he will also lead the investigating team to another grave site at Oshikome in the Kavango Region, said Iyambo, he is still waiting for the NSHR director to fulfil his promise.

The Minister of Safety and Security informed Parliament that following a press conference by Ya Nangoloh, the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Sebastian Ndeitunga, contacted Ya Nangoloh and asked him whether he was willing to accompany an investigating team to show them the reported mass graves.

Iyambo said, Ya Nangoloh first agreed to do so straight away but after a while, he indicated that he was extremely busy and that he might not be in a position to meet the request.

The minister informed Parliament that the police made several attempts to get hold of Ya Nangoloh whose cellphone was off and he never returned the calls even when messages were left on his mobile phone.

Iyambo also warned international organisations and Namibians who believe that Ya Nangolo is a serious human rights representative, saying they must know that they are dealing with a 'mercenary' who is using human rights as a springboard to get recognition or financial rewards.

"He wants to tarnish the names of gallant Namibian leaders and the country and as Namibians we stand ready to defend their hard-won independence, freedom and peace which are prevailing in the country."