Councillor Arie hits back

FREDERICK Arie yesterday said he is going to consult his lawyer about allegations that he tried to bribe a woman to withdraw rape charges against his son.

‘I have taken an oath to abide by the laws of Namibia,’ said the Windhoek Rural councillor, and added: ‘What are people trying to achieve? The Police must do its job; that’s all.’ Arie’s son, Rickey Uirab, is accused of having raped a Dordabis woman in the early hours of December 4, 2011. The woman laid a charge of rape with Police at the settlement later the same day. She said Arie, while giving her a lift to the Katutura State Hospital on December 8, offered to pay her N$5 000 to withdraw the case. She said after she failed to respond to this offer, Arie cut the fence she had put up for safety around her house. A case of malicious damage to property has been made against Arie – a charge which will reportedly be dealt with by the Police head office in Windhoek due to Arie’s position. Arie would not comment on either of these allegations. Another allegation made against him was that he had occupied a house owned by the Ministry of Education even after he had left the ministry upon his election as Windhoek Rural regional councillor. Arie said he occupied the house as official accommodation provided to him since he does not get a housing allowance as a councillor. He further said that the education ministry’s functions are delegated to the regional council, hence his continued occupation of the house. According to his salary slip, a monthly rental is subtracted for the official accommodation. He would, however, not comment on an allegation that he has extended the erf on which the house is located. It was further alleged that the Arie family is dominating the Swapo Party district structures at Dordabis. It is alleged that his children are ‘the bosses’ of the Swapo Party youth wing in the settlement, that his father acts as the chief in the elders’ council, and that his brothers are ‘in charge’ in the committees. To this, Arie responded: ‘Positions are not filled through nominations. There are elections. I do not nominate or appoint people; people are being elected. People should leave politics and work together. That is all I want.’