Ignorance is bliss for Oranjemund SPYL man

LAZARUS Nangolo, the Swapo Youth League member instructed by the High Court to pay N$60 000 for damages in a defamation case, maintains he is not aware of the case.

High Court Judge Kato van Niekerk on Friday awarded a N$60 000 damages claim against Nangolo after Oranjemund businessman Stephanus ‘Steven’ Unoovene alleged character defamation. Unoovene said while addressing Swapo Party rallies at Oranjemund on November 16 last year and March 10 this year, Nangolo alleged that Unoovene’s business had received money allegedly stolen by RDP leader Hidipo Hamutenya.Hamutenya quit Swapo last year and is the leader of the Rally for Democracy and Progress.The case was heard by Van Niekerk in July.Unoovene claimed that Nangolo’s statements caused him to suffer financially and also harmed his reputation.Nangolo told The Namibian yesterday that he knew nothing about the case.”I know nothing of that nature.It is the first time I hear it.I have never received anything indicating that someone is taking me to court.I can’t say anything,” he said.Since he had only heard about the case from The Namibian, Nangolo said he was unable to even say that he would appeal against the outcome.He did not defend himself when the case was heard on July 18.on ACC salaries * BRIGITTE WEIDLICH A MOTION tabled by Prime Minister Nahas Angula in Parliament should not be debated, but only given the nod, two Cabinet ministers said yesterday.The Prime Minister asked Members to confirm salary and benefit adjustments for the two top officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), who fall in the same salary brackets as High Court judges.New salary ranges for judges were adjusted by way of proclamation last year and were approved by President Hifikepunye Pohamba this April, which are also appropriate for the ACC Director and Deputy Director, Angula told the House.”The ACC law of 2003 stipulates that Parliament must confirm the conditions of service of the two top posts in the ACC,” Angula added.When CoD politician Tsudao Gurirab wanted to open the debate on the motion, Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said that the conditions of service for the ACC director and his deputy should not be debated in Parliament.The Minister of Presidential Affairs supported her.”The law says we must confirm their conditions of service but we first must debate on it and give our opinion,” Gurirab maintained.CoD President Ben Ulenga requested a postponement to allow for consultations on the issue, which Deputy Speaker Doreen Sioka agreed to.Unoovene said while addressing Swapo Party rallies at Oranjemund on November 16 last year and March 10 this year, Nangolo alleged that Unoovene’s business had received money allegedly stolen by RDP leader Hidipo Hamutenya.Hamutenya quit Swapo last year and is the leader of the Rally for Democracy and Progress.The case was heard by Van Niekerk in July.Unoovene claimed that Nangolo’s statements caused him to suffer financially and also harmed his reputation.Nangolo told The Namibian yesterday that he knew nothing about the case.”I know nothing of that nature.It is the first time I hear it.I have never received anything indicating that someone is taking me to court.I can’t say anything,” he said.Since he had only heard about the case from The Namibian, Nangolo said he was unable to even say that he would appeal against the outcome.He did not defend himself when the case was heard on July 18.on ACC salaries * BRIGITTE WEIDLICH A MOTION tabled by Prime Minister Nahas Angula in Parliament should not be debated, but only given the nod, two Cabinet ministers said yesterday.The Prime Minister asked Members to confirm salary and benefit adjustments for the two top officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), who fall in the same salary brackets as High Court judges.New salary ranges for judges were adjusted by way of proclamation last year and were approved by President Hifikepunye Pohamba this April, which are also appropriate for the ACC Director and Deputy Director, Angula told the House.”The ACC law of 2003 stipulates that Parliament must confirm the conditions of service of the two top posts in the ACC,” Angula added.When CoD politician Tsudao Gurirab wanted to open the debate on the motion, Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said that the conditions of service for the ACC director and his deputy should not be debated in Parliament.The Minister of Presidential Affairs supported her.”The law says we must confirm their conditions of service but we first must debate on it and give our opinion,” Gurirab maintained.CoD President Ben Ulenga requested a postponement to allow for consultations on the issue, which Deputy Speaker Doreen Sioka agreed to.