Swapo youth leader Sylas Tangi Mungoba has been convicted of corruption in connection with a bribery plot to mobilise an Affirmative Repositioning movement-led protest for the release of the Fishrot accused from custody. 

Mungoba was charged with a count of corruptly giving gratification under Section 34 (a) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 8 of 2003. The second count was ruled to be a duplication. He is due for sentencing on 17 October.

Over the weekend, Mungoba referred questions to his lawyer, Petrus Elago, whose phone went unanswered. 

The entangled case stemming from 2021 involves Mungoba allegedly trying to bribe erstwhile Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement head of elections Paulus ‘Pau Pau’ Kathanga. 

Kathanga has since parted ways with AR. 

Mungoba is accused of trying to entice Kathanga to mobilise and launch a protest against the Judiciary for the release of those currently in police custody for their alleged involvement in the multi-million-dollar fisheries bribery case currently before the High Court. 

Mungoba denied approaching AR movement leaders Kathanga and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma to organise any sort of demonstration against the Judiciary, adding that he only approached them so that they coukld create awareness around the Fishrot issue through their social media platforms. 

He further indicated that the N$8 000 he allegedly offered Kathanga was from his business account, and not Fishrot money. 

 “I had no idea that giving money in that
way is considered a bribe,” said Mungoba during the early stages of his court appearances. 

In his client’s defence, Elago said organising demonstrations was not illegal in the country.

At the beginning of the trial, Elago questioned how the exchange of money between two people to organise and conduct a demonstration amounts to bribery, stating that certain people within society are paid to promote brands or people on social media, and it is not unlawful.