Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha said if the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approves the N$4.5 billion loan the government applied for, then it will be the end of Namibia’s economic independence.

Kavihuha made these remarks on Wednesday during a press conference that took place at the union’s premises in Windhoek, where he addressed various issues Namibia faces.

This comes after finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi announced that the government applied to IMF to be granted N$4.5 billion to help in the fight against Covid-19 in the country.

This is on top of the N$8.1 billion the government availed in April this year as a stimulus package to help those affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Kavihuha charged, however, that the government is taking a loan to pay another loan, “which is totally not necessary because the country is already faced with huge debt.”

Government borrowing more money is going to cause problems for the country in the future when it fails to pay back all debts, he said, noting that such behaviour from the government is only going to affect future generations.

“By virtue of us requesting a loan from IMF, it is the end of our independence, it is the end of our sovereignty. So basically, what we are saying is that, the very same people who liberated us politically, are now facilitating us to be colonised economically.

Because with loans under whatever conditions there are strings attached,” said Kavihuha.

He added that as soon as the money lands in the country, “then something should be done to liberate the country from institutional capture, because the money will disappear into thin air”.

Kavihuha also condemned attacks on the media by politicians and some individuals who try to block journalists from doing their jobs freely, saying that if such attacks are not stopped while it is early, it would lead to an ungovernable society. 

– Nampa