WINDHOEK – Swapo Party member of the Otjinene Village Council, Assaria Tjingaete, has dismissed a report alleging he grabbed land belonging to the village council, saying his rival is spreading such “rumours”.
However, the Otjinene Village Council chairperson, Ruth Katjatenja Mbaukua, of Nudo, confirmed the report saying council is still investigating the alleged land grab.
“Yes we are aware of the matter, we told him (Tjingaete) to stop whatever he is busy with until the next council meeting,” said Mbaukua.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Tjingaete who is also the Swapo Otjinene area coordinator denied fencing off any land that belongs to the village, saying there is a certain Elvis Kauesa trying to tarnish his name.
“Kauesa lost to me during last year’s election and now he has realised it is election year and is trying to tarnish my name,” he said. Tjingaete says he does not know why people are using his name though he hinted the allegations are politically motivated because voters will be voting for regional councillors.
“If you want you can come to Otjinene, so that you can understand this matter. This has been an ongoing issue. If you want you can come and investigate the matter yourself,” said Tjingaete.New Era is in possession of a letter dated April 7 drafted by Elvis Kauesa asking the Swapo secretary general, Nangolo Mbumba, and ACC director Paulus Noa to investigate the matter.
“Tjingaete has unlawfully and without permission taken possession of a piece of land forming part of the Otjinene Village Council office complex plot and has started to erect fences, permanent structures and buildings with bricks and concrete on site for his private business ventures with his partners,” reads the letter.
The letter further states, “Tjingaete is using his office powers as a sitting village councillor and Swapo Party coordinator for Otjinene to secure for private use this land of the village council of Otjinene of which he is a sitting member.”
In the letter, Kauesa accuses Tjingaete of bad behaviour and according to him Tjingaete at one point “assaulted” the former deputy prime minister Marco Hausiku during an official visit in the region.
“He has also driven and overturned a Swapo Party vehicle in Otjinene but no action or steps were taken against him,” further stated Kauesa.