Kazenambo dismisses media reports

MINISTER of Sport Kazenambo Kazenambo has dismissed reports that he said former DTA President Mishake Muyongo should be conferred national hero status as malicious distortions of the truth.

At a media briefing in Windhoek on Thursday, the Sport Minister distanced himself from the statement and condemned it as politically motivated.’Nowhere have I uttered the word Muyongo from my mouth nor have I referred to his status, then, now and in the future during my contribution,’ Kazenambo said.It was reported in The Namibian that during the Parliamentary debate on the Conferment of National Honours Bill, Kazenambo was asked whether Muyongo would qualify for national hero status, to which he allegedly responded ‘yes.’Kazenambo said the article was ‘devoid of truth’ as he made no reference to the former DTA leader, but said that if an individual had contributed (to the liberation of Namibia) then he or she should qualify for the conferment.’I welcome this Bill, it is inclusive, egalitarian and embraces reconciliation. There was no way I mentioned Muyongo. Keep your Muyongo. Muyongo has nothing to do with me, and I condemn him,’ Kazenambo said.Addressing reports that he also said that some PLAN combatants came up with schemes to avoid fighting during the liberation struggle, Kazenambo said that ‘there were cowards in PLAN and there were brave cadres, today all of a sudden everybody was brave, everybody is a hero.’When asked if he would confer national honours on RDP president Hidipo Hamutenya if he were granted the authority to do so, Kazenambo said, ‘during the liberation struggle and until 1990 he (Hamutenya) has performed. I will do it.’Kazenambo also addressed the issue of youth volunteers in his ministry, saying that the recruitment of volunteers is done on the basis of voluntary request by interested individuals.Kazenambo added that volunteers are not recruited with specific promises for permanent employment, but rather that they are in an advantaged position should a vacancy arise in the Ministry.’Allegations that volunteers are paid through S&T (subsistence and travel) forms is another un-naked truth. The records of payments to volunteers are done through the normal Treasury provisions for creditors,’ he said.