Highest honour for Hawala

THE man said to have played a central role in rooting out alleged South African spies from Swapo during the liberation struggle has been conferred with Namibia’s highest award – Grand Commander of the Order of Namibian Eagle First Class.

Chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) Solomon Dumeni Hawala received the medal for “gallantry and heroism” from President Sam Nujoma on Sunday during a ceremony to mark Namibia’s 14th independence anniversary. Hawala headed Swapo’s security apparatus at Lubango in Angola, where most of the then liberation movement’s detainees were held in dungeons, and where he became known as the “butcher of Lubango”.Also known as ‘Jesus’, Hawala has never publicly refuted accusations that he detained his own comrades, some of whom continue to publicly profess their innocence.In a rare public appearance, the Grootfontein-based NDF chief received his medal together with nine other Namibians.”These individuals (medal recipients) are chosen and honoured for the valuable contributions that they have made to the liberation and the socio-economic development of our country,” President Sam Nujoma declared during the ceremony.Two late Swapo stalwarts and former legislators, Nathaniel Maxuilili and Gertrud Kandanga-Hilukilwa posthumously received awards.Maxuilili received the Grand Commander of the Order of the Sun First Class, while Kandanga-Hilukilwa was bestowed with the Order of Namibian Eagle Second Class, both for their roles in advancing Namibia’s freedom and independence.Local Ophthalmologist Dr Helena Ndume was also honoured.She received the Order of Namibia First Class for her nationwide fight against preventable blindness which saw many Namibians, especially from previously disadvantaged communities, regain their sight.The ruling party’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly, Ben Amathila, and the Inspector General of the Namibian Police Lucas Hangula respectively received Grand Commander of the Order of Namibian Eagle First Class and Order of the Namibian Eagle First Class.Hawala headed Swapo’s security apparatus at Lubango in Angola, where most of the then liberation movement’s detainees were held in dungeons, and where he became known as the “butcher of Lubango”.Also known as ‘Jesus’, Hawala has never publicly refuted accusations that he detained his own comrades, some of whom continue to publicly profess their innocence.In a rare public appearance, the Grootfontein-based NDF chief received his medal together with nine other Namibians.”These individuals (medal recipients) are chosen and honoured for the valuable contributions that they have made to the liberation and the socio-economic development of our country,” President Sam Nujoma declared during the ceremony.Two late Swapo stalwarts and former legislators, Nathaniel Maxuilili and Gertrud Kandanga-Hilukilwa posthumously received awards.Maxuilili received the Grand Commander of the Order of the Sun First Class, while Kandanga-Hilukilwa was bestowed with the Order of Namibian Eagle Second Class, both for their roles in advancing Namibia’s freedom and independence.Local Ophthalmologist Dr Helena Ndume was also honoured.She received the Order of Namibia First Class for her nationwide fight against preventable blindness which saw many Namibians, especially from previously disadvantaged communities, regain their sight.The ruling party’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly, Ben Amathila, and the Inspector General of the Namibian Police Lucas Hangula respectively received Grand Commander of the Order of Namibian Eagle First Class and Order of the Namibian Eagle First Class.