Lahja Nashuuta
The alleged victims of Rodman Katjaimo’s failed trip to Birmingham, United Kingdom, are still hoping to get their full refunds.
Namibian police spokesperson, Kauna Shikwambi has confirmed there are cases that had been opened against Katutura Central constituency councillor Katjaimo by the residents who wanted to travel to the Commonwealth Games that took place from 28 July to 8 August 2022.
However, Shikwambi could not provide the number of cases nor shed light on the nature of the cases reported.
“Those are old cases (2022), possibly cases before court, so confirm with the court because we don’t report on cases that are before court,” she said.
Case numbers CR 218/12/2022, CR/218/12/2022 and CR/218/12/2022 were opened against the councillor.
In 2022, Katjaimo, through the Katutura Central constituency office, organised a trip to take about 198 young people to watch the Commonwealth Games in the UK. Those intending to make the trip contributed various amounts towards the costs, which were estimated at more than N$10 million.
New Era this week learnt that several victims have since taken the legal route to seek redress, with one of the court cases expected to be finalised by 2 November 2024.
Vetuesa Handura, one of the victims who Katjaimo allegedly owes refunds, received an audience this week when the case went through mediation at the Windhoek High Court.
New Era learnt that Katjaimo was summoned by the High Court this week to provide proof that he indeed paid for the people’s accommodation and return tickets, as well as to motivate why it is not possible to refund the would-be travellers.
He was allegedly instructed to draw up a contract that stipulates how he plans to pay back the money.
Traumatised and depressed
Victims of the failed UK trip organised by Katjaimo are still struggling to recover their money.
In the interview with New Era this week, one of the victims, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said she is struggling to recover her N$65 000 after she sold her belongings with the hope to travel to the UK.
“He crooked us. He instilled hope in us that all will be well and that the trip is well organised and will be fruitful. Everything turned out to be a nightmare,” she said.
She said although Katjaimo promised to return their money, she has yet to receive her full amount. I was given N$13 000 out of N$65 000, and every time I called him to ask for my money, he became aggressive and told me to learn to wait,” says the single mother.
“I convinced my parents to sell cattle in the hope of travelling to the UK on a six-month visa in a hope to reconcile with my family, find employment and start taking care of my parents back home. Katjaimo sold us good dreams, including longer-stay visas. But this was just a shattered dream,” says another female victim.
The victim reveals that her family has stopped assisting her, and it has not been easy ever since.
She further said every time she demands her money, she is being told the funds were non-refundable payments, a claim he could not prove, she said.
When reached for comment on the latest developments in the protracted saga, Katjaimo asked: “Who are they, and what are their names? How many are they? Don’t you think they are politically-motivated people seeking to leverage this story during the campaign season, even though it may already be a thing of the past?”
He added: “That story doesn’t hold weight anymore! I believe your newspaper covered it extensively. What is it that, after three years, I’m still being pursued for payment? Where were they when I was paying others?”
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