Minister, ED in court today over Kanyama’s health tenders
Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula and executive director Ben Nangombe have been summoned to appear in the Windhoek High Court today as witnesses in a matter involving public health medical supplier Shapwa Kanyama and his wife Beata, who are suing a northern-based retired nurse for N$400 000 for alleged defamatory remarks.
The trial in which the Kanyamas are suing Mathilde Kadhikwa for N$200 000 each starts today over comments she allegedly made when the monied couple tied the knot in May 2022.
According to court documents, all this emanated from an audio clip by Kadhikwa, which was widely circulated. In it, she alleged that public funds were used to bankroll the ‘N$10 million wedding’ and that Shapwa was committing financial crimes and unlawfully pocketing government money while public health facilities lacked basic supplies due to a lack of funds.
Initially the Kanyamas’ lawyer, Sisa Namandje, wrote to Kadhikwa, demanding an unconditional apology to the couple within 24 hours. However, the retired nurse opted not to comply, which led to the matter being dragged to court.
Just my opinion
While the Kanyamas argue that the comments were defamatory, wrongful and infringed on their name, dignity, fame, credit and reputation, Kadhikwa is adamant that by the mere fact that she did not mention anyone’s name in the audio clip and that she was not the person who commenced the WhatsApp conversation during which she made the remarks, she has no case to answer for.
Kadhikwa went on to say she was merely adding her opinion to a public matter. She also shared with the court several Facebook posts by other Namibians who made similar utterances, linking the lack of medication in hospitals to the lavish wedding and the issue of middlemen in the health industry getting rich.
She argued that those people are not being pursued by the Kanyamas like she is.
Summoned
With the Kanyamas not backtracking on their claim, Kadhikwa then roped in the legal services of Henry Shimutwikeni to assist with her case.
On 15 February, Shimutwikeni subpoenaed both Shangula and Nangombe to avail themselves in the Windhoek High Court from 16 to 19 July.
Both men are requested to bring along copies of contracts between the government and any company Kanyama owns or is associated with.
If they fail to do so, Shangula and Nangombe risk a fine of N$4 000 or a one-year prison sentence, according to documents seen by Namibian Sun.
The couple are demanding a combined N$400 000 from Kadhikwa, with 20% per annum from the day of the judgment as well as an unconditional apology and punitive legal costs.
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The trial in which the Kanyamas are suing Mathilde Kadhikwa for N$200 000 each starts today over comments she allegedly made when the monied couple tied the knot in May 2022.
According to court documents, all this emanated from an audio clip by Kadhikwa, which was widely circulated. In it, she alleged that public funds were used to bankroll the ‘N$10 million wedding’ and that Shapwa was committing financial crimes and unlawfully pocketing government money while public health facilities lacked basic supplies due to a lack of funds.
Initially the Kanyamas’ lawyer, Sisa Namandje, wrote to Kadhikwa, demanding an unconditional apology to the couple within 24 hours. However, the retired nurse opted not to comply, which led to the matter being dragged to court.
Just my opinion
While the Kanyamas argue that the comments were defamatory, wrongful and infringed on their name, dignity, fame, credit and reputation, Kadhikwa is adamant that by the mere fact that she did not mention anyone’s name in the audio clip and that she was not the person who commenced the WhatsApp conversation during which she made the remarks, she has no case to answer for.
Kadhikwa went on to say she was merely adding her opinion to a public matter. She also shared with the court several Facebook posts by other Namibians who made similar utterances, linking the lack of medication in hospitals to the lavish wedding and the issue of middlemen in the health industry getting rich.
She argued that those people are not being pursued by the Kanyamas like she is.
Summoned
With the Kanyamas not backtracking on their claim, Kadhikwa then roped in the legal services of Henry Shimutwikeni to assist with her case.
On 15 February, Shimutwikeni subpoenaed both Shangula and Nangombe to avail themselves in the Windhoek High Court from 16 to 19 July.
Both men are requested to bring along copies of contracts between the government and any company Kanyama owns or is associated with.
If they fail to do so, Shangula and Nangombe risk a fine of N$4 000 or a one-year prison sentence, according to documents seen by Namibian Sun.
The couple are demanding a combined N$400 000 from Kadhikwa, with 20% per annum from the day of the judgment as well as an unconditional apology and punitive legal costs.
[email protected]
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