The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) says it spent about N$90 000 on the mass burial of the 16 people who died of alleged food poisoning at Kayova village.
This comes after Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu criticised the central government for only providing N$10 000 towards the bereaved family’s funeral expenses.
In a statement released yesterday, the OPM says it worked closely with the Kavango East Regional Council, and paid N$14 973.47 to the family for food provisions, while coffins and burial costs of around N$69 700 went to identified undertakers, as well as tents for N$10 000.
OPM spokesperson Rhingo Mutambo said the total cost paid by the OPM for the funeral over the weekend was N$94 673.47.
“Responding to calls for support, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism donated two wildebeests and eight kudus. Further support was received from other entities and individuals which alleviated the burden of this mass burial on any one entity or person,” said Mutambo.
He said a detailed report will be given by the Kavango East Regional Council, noting that the central government remains committed to working with the Kavango East Regional Council to ensure the essential costs are covered within the approved budget, without seeking publicity, save to remain open and transparent to the Namibian nation.
“The loss of 16 persons is huge. And more support maybe needed for the affected family beyond the conclusion of this burial,” said Mutambo.
Mbangu, on his Facebook page, said OPM bought coffins but only N$10 000 was provided for food, which in his view was not enough.
The 16 people buried last Saturday died from alleged food poisoning, an incident which has been described by many as catastrophic, and the first of its kind of this magnitude.
