‘Warrior’ Hangula laid to rest

Staff Reporter
TUYEIMO HAIDULA

ONAMUTANDA

As retired Lieutenant-General Lucas Petrus Hangula was laid to rest at his home village Onamutanda in Ohangwena Region on Sunday, Namibian leaders said the country has lost one of its best warriors for freedom and independence.

The former chief of the Namibia Central Intelligence Service, affectionately known as ‘Fogo’, succumbed to Covid-19 last month at his house in Windhoek.

In a speech read on his behalf, President Hage Geingob said Hangula will be remembered as a man whose actions spoke louder than words.

Tributes

“The late Hangula was a dedicated freedom fighter with a decorated military career whose wise council could be called upon at all times. Indeed, his presence will be missed and absence will be felt.

“I personally recall my time at the Tobias Hainyeko Training Camp in Angola, where he was the commander where I was first introduced to the strict regime of military life.

“Throughout his career as a highly disciplined cadre, comrade Hangula has served our country with dedication and distinction in different capacities,” Geingob said.

Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba also paid tribute to the former spy boss.

“His contribution to the nation and sacrifices are countless and Namibia will forever hold his memories in the highest gratitude. Although he was not a public person, he was a principled cadre. A straight forward talker with an intriguing and distinctive charisma,” Pohamba said.

Former president Sam Nujoma said together with others, Hangula extended his energy and efforts to bring independence for this country and has immensely contributed to nation-building, and to the entire army.

Nujoma remembered of Hangula’s contributions when he joined the liberation struggle.

He said Hangula received his basic military training in Zambia.

According to Nujoma, Hangula was part of the first group of 100 PLAN combatants who volunteered for a “mission of no return” under the late commander Elia Ambabi Kwacha. They established a training and reception base at Cassapa for newly arrivals from Namibia in the Cuando Cubango Province of Angola.

“I therefore join my fellow mourners to pay homage and bid farewell to a gallant and unwavering freedom fighter, a steadfast and celebrated silent giant PLAN combatant who persevered under all circumstances and never wavered until the attainment of our freedom and genuine independence on 21 March 1990,” Nujoma said.

Hangula was the director-general of the NCIS from 2006 to 2016 and advisor to the director-general of the NCIS from 2016 to 2020. Prior to that, he served as inspector-general of Namibian Police.

Hangula is survived by his wife and children.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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