LPM takes aim at Swapo, Fishcor, ACC
In relation to their involvement in the Fishrot scandal, Bernadus Swartbooi believes the entire Fishcor board and lawyer Sisa Namandje should be arrested too.
ESTER KAMATI
WINDHOEK
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi on Friday challenged the Fishcor board to either confirm or deny the statements made by the company’s former CEO Mike Nghipunya during his bail application hearings.
“State institutions must always justify their decisions. Can Fishcor justify its decision to have 18 000 metric tonnes for government objectives which were then siphoned to Swapo?” he questioned.
He added that the entire board should be indicted and arrested.
“The chairperson of that board could not have been acting alone. There is a board of Fishcor. Can they also be arrested?”
The parliamentarian said he believes Nghipunya’s testimony.
“I doubt a man fighting for his life would lie under oath. He has no reason. The man is trying to dig himself out of a hole.
“I commend him for his repentance. Others must do the same,” he said.
Denial
Swartbooi further criticised the ruling party for refusing to take accountability for their members but rather shifting blame to individuals. “Since when did Swapo apparently stop being the people, and the people Swapo?” he asked.
“So, people of Swapo are stealing and thieving and Swapo says ‘it’s not us, it is other people and it’s in court, go ask them’.
“While the judiciary is hearing bombshell evidence as you call it, the deputy prime minister was in absolute denial of anything ever having been done,” he said.
Failure
The LPM leader blasted institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Office of the Ombudsman for not rising to the occasion to investigate the Fishrot scandal and the mismanagement of state resources following Nghipunya’s testimony.
He expressed disappointment in the ACC for not committing to the search for more answers.
“He [Paulus Noa, ACC director] is also thinking that perhaps we are so stupid that Nghipunya’s statements are of no value. The man [Nghipunya] made those statements of the N$44 million plus that was transferred to [lawyer Sisa] Namandje and those companies. He did so under oath and that must have great value for any investigating officer, including Noa,” he fumed.
Swartbooi questioned why Namandje, who is implicated in the scandal, has gone scot-free, adding that he too should be indicted.
“Why is [lawyer Maren] de Klerk on the run? There is a reality that he faces that he could be arrested. Why is Sisa not even on the run? In fact, he is having the time of his life,” he said, adding that the “system is beginning to crack open”.
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WINDHOEK
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi on Friday challenged the Fishcor board to either confirm or deny the statements made by the company’s former CEO Mike Nghipunya during his bail application hearings.
“State institutions must always justify their decisions. Can Fishcor justify its decision to have 18 000 metric tonnes for government objectives which were then siphoned to Swapo?” he questioned.
He added that the entire board should be indicted and arrested.
“The chairperson of that board could not have been acting alone. There is a board of Fishcor. Can they also be arrested?”
The parliamentarian said he believes Nghipunya’s testimony.
“I doubt a man fighting for his life would lie under oath. He has no reason. The man is trying to dig himself out of a hole.
“I commend him for his repentance. Others must do the same,” he said.
Denial
Swartbooi further criticised the ruling party for refusing to take accountability for their members but rather shifting blame to individuals. “Since when did Swapo apparently stop being the people, and the people Swapo?” he asked.
“So, people of Swapo are stealing and thieving and Swapo says ‘it’s not us, it is other people and it’s in court, go ask them’.
“While the judiciary is hearing bombshell evidence as you call it, the deputy prime minister was in absolute denial of anything ever having been done,” he said.
Failure
The LPM leader blasted institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Office of the Ombudsman for not rising to the occasion to investigate the Fishrot scandal and the mismanagement of state resources following Nghipunya’s testimony.
He expressed disappointment in the ACC for not committing to the search for more answers.
“He [Paulus Noa, ACC director] is also thinking that perhaps we are so stupid that Nghipunya’s statements are of no value. The man [Nghipunya] made those statements of the N$44 million plus that was transferred to [lawyer Sisa] Namandje and those companies. He did so under oath and that must have great value for any investigating officer, including Noa,” he fumed.
Swartbooi questioned why Namandje, who is implicated in the scandal, has gone scot-free, adding that he too should be indicted.
“Why is [lawyer Maren] de Klerk on the run? There is a reality that he faces that he could be arrested. Why is Sisa not even on the run? In fact, he is having the time of his life,” he said, adding that the “system is beginning to crack open”.
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