By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK – The investigating committee that was set up by the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) to look into the dealings of its suspended Secretary Paulus Kapia and Central Committee member Ralph Blaauw with Avid Investment Corporation has completed its investigations and will table its findings to the National Executive Committee early next month. After carrying out the investigations in early September when they suspended Kapia and Blaauw, the chairperson of the committee Pohamba Shifeta told New Era yesterday that the committee has finally completed the investigations. Shifeta said the investigating committee did not get the people it needed to interview on time and that this caused a delay. Shifeta however refused to divulge the findings of the investigations, noting that the NEC has the prerogative to make the outcome public. The outcome of the investigations will be crucial, as it will have a major impact on the political careers of the two youth leaders, especially Kapia. He has already lost his position as the Deputy Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, as well as his parliamentary seat. Anything but a positive outcome from the investigations could be a final blow to Kapia, who was once seen as a rising star in the Swapo Party. Shifeta, who is the Deputy Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, also revealed that the investigating committee interviewed both Blaauw and Kapia. The committee interviewed many people, including some shareholders of Avid. Shifeta noted that the investigations were delayed by the fact that some people who were interviewed came from outside Windhoek. The committee was expected to determine what procedures, if any, were followed in linking the SPYL to Avid. It also seeks to determine whether the names of SPYL and the Swapo Party president were used in exerting pressure on the Social Security Commission (SSC) to approve the N$30-million investment with Avid Investment Corporation. The committee was also tasked with finding out the identity of James Links in relation to SPYL. Shifeta said the NEC was expected to submit recommendations to the next Central Committee meeting. The Central Committee would make the final decision on whether or not to lift the suspension of Kapia and Blaauw, or take other measures as recommended by the NEC. The investigating committee consists of Lucia Iipumbu, Ambrosius Kandjii, Emma Molelekeng and Solomon Ilovu. Kapia and Blaauw are on suspension. The Deputy Secretary of the SPYL Evelyn !Nawases is currently acting. Contacted for comment yesterday, Kapia refused to discuss the investigations or his future. He simply replied that the reporter should not worry about his life.
2006-01-182024-04-23By Staff Reporter