Corruption rampant under Pohamba, DTA claims

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba has overseen the disappearance of an estimated N$780 million from Government coffers despite promising five years ago that he would crack down on corruption, the DTA of Namibia claimed on Saturday.

Speaking at the party’s 2009 manifesto launch at the northwestern town of Opuwo, DTA Member of Parliament McHenry Venaani charged that corruption had become rampant under Pohamba’s watch, but those guilty of it were living luxuriously and were not behind bars.’What a shame. In Swapo, the more you steal the more you get promoted. Swapo is no longer a freedom movement for all. People display Swapo scarves in their cars to get more tenders and other deals,’ he said.DTA Chairman Johan de Waal warned Opuwo residents to refrain from stealing goats or cattle under the Swapo Government because they would be sentenced up to 20 years in jail.’Steal N$30 million and you won’t go to jail,’ he said, referring to the Social Security Commission’s ill-fated investment with Avid Investments.Venaani said the Swapo-led Government had failed the people of Opuwo.’Under Pohamba, Opuwo has failed to produce a single doctor. If we come into power, the DTA-led government will pursue a deliberate policy to give more bursaries to students to study science. In fact, we will give you free education up to the level of PhD,’ the young MP said.Venaani said the DTA, if voted into power, would end what he referred to as the ‘Panado syndrome’ (where patients at State health facilities are allegedly given Panado for almost every illness).’We will establish a centre which will produce our own medicine,’ he said, without elaborating.The party’s manifesto says it will establish a drug-manufacturing company in co-operation with foreign pharmaceutical partners and train 65 students in biochemistry as a priority.Venaani also spoke about revolutionising the agricultural sector through underground reservoirs that would prevent floods and sustain planting.’The efundja that we see every year is just reckless planning,’ he said.If voted into power, Venaani said the DTA would establish an aircraft scrapyard in southern Namibia that would create around 1 000 jobs and generate income for the country.DTA President Katuutire Kaura said the upcoming elections would be a two-horse race between the DTA and Swapo.’We are going in to win and not to only increase our seats. By 2010 we shall be in full control of the whole Kunene because what we stand for, the people of Namibia will buy,’ he said.