MP calls for probe into Geingob’s ‘controversial’ death

South West Africa National Union parliamentarian Tangeni Iijambo says the nation has a “civic responsibility” to find out the details surrounding the death of president Hage Geingob.

While describing the circumstances around Geingob’s death as “controversial”, Iijambo said: “We have a Namibia Central Intelligence Service and other security agencies. Are they less effective? Could they give a convincing account of at least six days before he (Geingob) passed on?”

He was responding to inquiries from The Namibian after he called for an investigation into the conditions surrounding Geingob’s death, in parliament yesterday

“Some of you are civilians, I have a military intelligence background. We have a civic responsibility to know the circumstances under which our head of state died,” Iijambo said.

Commenting on Geingob travelling to the United States (US) for treatment after the Presidency revealed his cancer diagnosis last month, Iijambo said yesterday: “Who did he travel with and why? Did his personal physician travel with him? Which private hospital, free treatment in a capitalist country? Many more questions than answers.”

The Namibian reported last week that presidential economic adviser James Mnyupe has failed to explain why he accompanied Geingob on his two-day medical treatment trip to the US on 24 January.

Despite multiple attempts to reach them, neither Mnyupe, nor presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari have responded to queries sent by The Namibian regarding the reason why Mnyupe was on the trip.

According to Namibian Sun, data sourced from Flightradar24, a website for tracking aircraft, suggests Geingob travelled to the US through Algeria aboard a Gulfstream 5 aircraft, rather than using the presidential Falcon assigned to him.

The aircraft is said to have originated from Qatar, yet no specifics were provided regarding the party who arranged its use, nor their connection to Geingob.

A top Qatari government official reportedly funded the trip, including supplying the aircraft to and from the US.

The Namibian reported last week that Bank of Namibia governor Johannes !Gawaxab said Geingob signed off on the appointment of the new board of the central bank two days before his office publicly announced his cancer diagnosis.

Iijambo also claimed yesterday that his life may be in danger for asking questions.

“I can’t believe the powers that be [are in] defensive mode and the reluctance to ask such a pertinent question.

“We are supposed to be in a republic allowing freedom of speech and association. Seemingly, that is only for some beings.

But are all beings not equal? The person who passed on, for goodness’s sake, is the head of state … an important figurehead for us all. Why should it be strange for a citizen to exercise their civic duties?” Iijambo said.