Former SWATF/Koevoet to petition foreign Govts

THE president of the Namibia Veterans Trust (NamVet), Frans Jabulani, on Wednesday said they will be seeking international community intervention regarding their fight to be awarded war veterans status.

Jabulani said this at a media briefing held at the Commando hall in Katutura, Windhoek.

NamVet is an organisation of former Koevoet and ex-South West African Territorial Forces (SWATF) members founded in 2012 to fight for the causes of the former apartheid South African forces who fought against Swapo’s Plan fighters.

He said they had notified the police and various embassies such as the South African embassy, the American embassy and the British high commission, among others, about their aim to visit and petition.

“We have already notified the police and the various embassies. On Sunday, we will start the march. It is not fair that we must be abused by Swapo,” he said, brandishing a copy of a letter written to police Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga on 4 August 2016. Past media reports show how relentlessly the former SWATF and ex-Koevoet have been fighting for recognition as war veterans, something which has been ignored by the government.

Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba described the former soldiers as “killers”, who will not get the money meant for war veterans.

He was further quoted by the media as saying that they should go to South Africa, but he would then contact president Jacob Zuma not to entertain them.

Founding President Sam Nujoma had reportedly even said they should be deported.

The former fighters have written several letters to President Hage Geingob on their grievances. Although he allegedly responded positively, nothing has come of it to date.

“If he [Geingob] did what he said he would in that letter, we would not be here. But he is still the acting president of the party; he does not have all the power. Although we may not be awarded veterans’ status, things would be different if he had all the power,” Jabulani added.