GROOTFONTEIN-BASED businessman Josef Andreas is suing Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua for N$500 000 for allegedly defaming his character.
Andreas claims Uerikua on 27 November said he (Andreas) pays executive members of Swapo in the Grootfontein district, including suspended Otjozondjupa Swapo coordinator Susan Hikopua, to influence council decisions.
The governor reportedly mentioned this to Hikopua and other Swapo leaders.
Court documents were filed on 16 December by Andreas’ legal representative, Henry Shimutwikeni.
Uerikua allegedly said Andreas pays his fellow Swapo comrades to benefit his business.
Andreas is further accusing the governor of claiming that certain national Swapo leaders are his business partners.
Andreas owns Tulaing Group, which has constructed more than 450 houses at Grootfontein.
The company is currently developing a portion of farm Ackerbau no 3 at Grootfontein, which would comprise of 197 residential erven.
Tulaing Group has also built houses at Karibib, Otjiwarongo, Ondangwa, Omuthiya, and Oshakati.
According to court documents, Andreas said the governor’s statements and innuendos are wrongful, unlawful and defamatory.
He said Uerikua made the allegations to defame him, injure his reputation, and impair his dignity.
The statements were made to suggest he is a “dishonest, dishonorable, unscrupulous and unprincipled” person, Andreas says.
He says he telephonically confronted the governor about the allegations on 28 November, who allegedly confirmed making the statements.
According to court documents, the governor told Andreas he had been told the same rumours by Grootfontein chief executive officer Kisco Sinvula, chairperson of the management committee Victor Shandjuka, and former mayor of Grootfontein Lovisa Iyambo.
Andreas is asking the court to order the governor to unequivocally retract his statements and issue him an apology within five days of the order.
Uerikua last week said Andreas’ allegations were unfounded and his legal team would defend the case in court.
“I am baffled to hear I am sued for things I have not said. People think because James is a good performer in the region, he must be distracted from what he is doing.
“Some of these actions are politically motivated. I have not seen the court documents, but we will vigorously defend it.”
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