Windhoek
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) group says it has sought legal opinion on whether to lodge criminal charges against Minister of Defence Penda ya Ndakolo.
Ya Ndakolo had incurred a bill in excess of N$630 000 while staying at Safari Hotel in Windhoek, where his drinks and food for six months were also paid for by the taxpayer following his appointment as defence minister. The revelation of his hotel bills sparked public outrage, considering that he gets a monthly housing allowance.
AR condemned ya Ndakolo’s actions and threatened to lay corruption charges if he does not pay back the money by April after Attorney General Sackey Shanghala in a dramatic turn of events told parliament on Tuesday that ya Ndakolo has paid back N$186 000. Shanghala said in his view, the case is now closed.
In a statement issued yesterday, the AR group said: “It takes note of [Attorney General Sackey] Shanghala ‘Van der Merwe’s’ announcement in the National Assembly that the minister has paid back N$186 000 maximum allowance and N$50 000 he received on food and refreshment. While this development is welcomed, the matter cannot be declared closed just because Shanghala ‘Van der Merwe’ says so with his American accent,” the AR statement reads.
AR said they have tasked their lawyers and accountants to study the case to determine whether the matter is fully concluded.
“The study and analysis of our lawyers and accountants will assist the movement in making a determination as to whether we will continue opening criminal cases against the minister or not,” the AR statement further read.
The group said it will also meet with the Anti-Corruption Commission and Shanghala to satisfy themselves regarding the facts of the matter.
“Mr Shanghala… and the minister realised that there was no way they could sweep this matter under the carpet as has been the case for the past 25 years – when there was no AR.
“With only one month left before we open the case against the minister in April, Minister Ya Ndakolo, who could not articulate his own enjoyment in parliament, thus depending on Shanghala-Van der Merwe to speak on his behalf, concluded correctly that we are serious and will bring him before our independent judiciary and he will be found guilty.
“He thus opted to pay back the money. To save his friend, Shanghala-Van der Merwe went to the ACC and prosecutor general to strike a deal given that April is nearing.”
The AR group claims there is a danger the country will be reduced to a kleptocracy – rule by thieves.