Country can’t only cater to veterans – Kapofi
Defence and veteran affairs minister Frans Kapofi says government is for all citizens, not just war veterans, whom he told the state has run out of money to fund their economic projects.
His stance is set to infuriate the veterans, who already had a major fallout with the minister over money they believe they are entitled for their contribution towards Namibia’s liberation struggle.
Hundreds of aggrieved veterans handed over a petition - on a delayed cash payment earmarked for their projects - to Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha last Friday.
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Kapofi said government is willing to attend to the needs of the veterans, but it does not have financial resources to do so imminently.
Everyone in Namibia is currently aware that the country is experiencing an economic crisis, he said.
“I said to them, we only distribute what we have. Should government find resources to fund those projects, we are willing to pay, but we don’t have the money,” Kapofi stressed.
Be content
He said his ministry has also made a request on behalf of the veterans for more funds, but for now, they will operate within the allocated budget.
“Government funds everyone. It cannot only fund veterans’ projects. We just have to be content with what we have.
“We have lost comrades in the war. They have not been able to get even one cent. Not even their own children. Those of us who are here today should be grateful for what government is doing for us,” the minister said.
The veterans have long been at loggerheads with the ministry and government over money, but said they are adamant about collecting what was promised to them. They have since roped Dyakugha into their cause.
40 years
In their petition, read by their group leader Sossy Shimanya, the group said they are unhappy with the delayed payment of money earmarked for veteran projects.
“The veterans are not happy with the decision taken by the ministry to reduce the amount from N$200 000 to N$170 000 because we have been waiting for the payment of the projects for years, expecting the ministry to increase the funds rather than to reduce it. Therefore, we are demanding that the money earmarked for projects be paid to all as a matter of urgency,” it read.
Currently, the ministry pays out 276 veterans per year. It will take more than 40 years to complete the payout of 11 000 veterans.
According to the veterans, by the time government manages to pay everyone, some of their members will be dead and would not have benefitted from the project.
They recommended to the Ombudsman that should any of the beneficiaries die before their benefit is paid out, the money should become inheritable.
Unfair
“It is unfair to have paid some veterans money for their projects while some of us are left out. Public institutions are expected to provide services to citizens in a fair and equitable manner,” Shimanya said.
He added that the majority of the veterans are ageing, in ailing condition and dying in poverty.
“Comrades are diminishing without receiving their benefits, leaving their children with no inheritance,” Shimanya said.
Dyakugha promised to engage the ministry and give the veterans feedback within 90 days.
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His stance is set to infuriate the veterans, who already had a major fallout with the minister over money they believe they are entitled for their contribution towards Namibia’s liberation struggle.
Hundreds of aggrieved veterans handed over a petition - on a delayed cash payment earmarked for their projects - to Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha last Friday.
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Kapofi said government is willing to attend to the needs of the veterans, but it does not have financial resources to do so imminently.
Everyone in Namibia is currently aware that the country is experiencing an economic crisis, he said.
“I said to them, we only distribute what we have. Should government find resources to fund those projects, we are willing to pay, but we don’t have the money,” Kapofi stressed.
Be content
He said his ministry has also made a request on behalf of the veterans for more funds, but for now, they will operate within the allocated budget.
“Government funds everyone. It cannot only fund veterans’ projects. We just have to be content with what we have.
“We have lost comrades in the war. They have not been able to get even one cent. Not even their own children. Those of us who are here today should be grateful for what government is doing for us,” the minister said.
The veterans have long been at loggerheads with the ministry and government over money, but said they are adamant about collecting what was promised to them. They have since roped Dyakugha into their cause.
40 years
In their petition, read by their group leader Sossy Shimanya, the group said they are unhappy with the delayed payment of money earmarked for veteran projects.
“The veterans are not happy with the decision taken by the ministry to reduce the amount from N$200 000 to N$170 000 because we have been waiting for the payment of the projects for years, expecting the ministry to increase the funds rather than to reduce it. Therefore, we are demanding that the money earmarked for projects be paid to all as a matter of urgency,” it read.
Currently, the ministry pays out 276 veterans per year. It will take more than 40 years to complete the payout of 11 000 veterans.
According to the veterans, by the time government manages to pay everyone, some of their members will be dead and would not have benefitted from the project.
They recommended to the Ombudsman that should any of the beneficiaries die before their benefit is paid out, the money should become inheritable.
Unfair
“It is unfair to have paid some veterans money for their projects while some of us are left out. Public institutions are expected to provide services to citizens in a fair and equitable manner,” Shimanya said.
He added that the majority of the veterans are ageing, in ailing condition and dying in poverty.
“Comrades are diminishing without receiving their benefits, leaving their children with no inheritance,” Shimanya said.
Dyakugha promised to engage the ministry and give the veterans feedback within 90 days.
- [email protected]
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