Plan fighter refuses to return

A FORMER Swapo Plan fighter Simon Haleinge Shilongo (63), who remained in Angola after the war in 1989, has refused to come back to Namibia.

Shilongo (real name John Mbwalala) told the police on Tuesday that he would rather stay at Olyafilwa village in Ombandja district, Kunene Province in Southern Angola.

It is understood that Shilongo fled to the village after surviving a battle with South African Defence Forces at Etunda on 2 April 1989. His group was in a battle with the then South African Forces at Etunda.

Since he knew some of the villagers because his platoon had operated from the area, Shilongo was accommodated by Mukwashivela Shikunda and her son Talike Mwafekelange before he left to make his home in a bush nearby where he has been staying like an animal.

Olyafilwa village headman, Joel Katombela, then wrote to the Omusati Police Commander Shinedima Shindinge informing him about Shilongo’s predicament.

The Namibian government decided to recognise Shilongo as a citizen by providing him with a full birth certificate and an identity document as well as awarding veteran’s status to him.

A delegation comprising officials from the ministries of home, veterans, and foreign affairs, that was led by Omusati police Commissioner Shindinge, visited Shilongo at the village about 42 kilometers from the Okapalelona border post. His former Plan commander Mbanyata Shikongo testified for Shilongo, who is apparently the first veteran to be registered outside Namibia.

Although he was a bit reluctant to be registered at first, Shilongo agreed later but refused to come back to Namibia.

He stunned the delegation, especially his mother, Maria Petrus, sister Victoria and his 25-year-old daughter Ruth Shilongo, when he said he said he does not know them.

“No, no, that is not my mother. I do not have a mother like her. My mother does not look like her,” Shilongo said, when one of his counsellors, Ananias Nashilundo, introduced Petrus to him.

Shidinge said Mbwalala left the country in 1974 when he was trained as a Plan fighter and was stationed in the Olyafilwa area.