Lutheran Church will return Avid-SSC money: Kameeta

THE Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia says it will pay back N$42 620 to the Social Security Commission (SSC), which was donated to the church’s congregation at Otjiwarongo by Lazarus Kandara.

Pastor Paul /Goagoseb of the Otjiwarongo congregation said at Kandara’s funeral that the late Chief Executive Officer of Avid had bought two bells for the church. /Goagoseb described Kandara as “a saint who took from the rich to give to the poor” and that the congregation had benefited from Kandara’s generosity in a big way.”The most obvious is the two bells he bought for the church and which he even mentioned during his testimony in court.And whether you like it or not, these bells will hang in this church and you will hear them every day,” he said to loud cheers from members of the congregation.On Friday, Lutheran Bishop Zephaniah Kameeta described the donation as a corrupt practice.He said the money was part of the controversial N$30 million Avid-SSC investment and /Goagoseb, or any other leader, needed to check donations before accepting them.”We reiterate our position against corruption and call upon our congregation and members to, although difficult, double-check on the gifts and donations we receive,” said the Bishop, a well-known anti-corruption activist.He said the time to fight corruption was now, as tomorrow would be too late.Kameeta said the Lutheran Church was aware that a N$60 000 donation was mentioned during the Avid High Court inquiry, but the church had received only N$42 620 for the two bells.The Bishop said the SSC was established to take care of the needy and it was disheartening to note that the rich and greedy were taking advantage of the availability of funds.The Lutheran leaders decided to return the money for moral reasons.”For the sake of our obedience to the Word of God, and our … known stand and fight against corruption, we are obliged to return this money to the SSC,” Kameeta said.Another church that benefited from the Avid-SSC scam was the Voice of God Fellowship in Khomasdal.The church and some members received tithes and donations from the embattled head of Namangol, Nico Josea.The Voice of God Fellowship decided to pay back the money and has so far returned around N$100 000./Goagoseb described Kandara as “a saint who took from the rich to give to the poor” and that the congregation had benefited from Kandara’s generosity in a big way.”The most obvious is the two bells he bought for the church and which he even mentioned during his testimony in court.And whether you like it or not, these bells will hang in this church and you will hear them every day,” he said to loud cheers from members of the congregation.On Friday, Lutheran Bishop Zephaniah Kameeta described the donation as a corrupt practice.He said the money was part of the controversial N$30 million Avid-SSC investment and /Goagoseb, or any other leader, needed to check donations before accepting them.”We reiterate our position against corruption and call upon our congregation and members to, although difficult, double-check on the gifts and donations we receive,” said the Bishop, a well-known anti-corruption activist.He said the time to fight corruption was now, as tomorrow would be too late. Kameeta said the Lutheran Church was aware that a N$60 000 donation was mentioned during the Avid High Court inquiry, but the church had received only N$42 620 for the two bells.The Bishop said the SSC was established to take care of the needy and it was disheartening to note that the rich and greedy were taking advantage of the availability of funds.The Lutheran leaders decided to return the money for moral reasons.”For the sake of our obedience to the Word of God, and our … known stand and fight against corruption, we are obliged to return this money to the SSC,” Kameeta said.Another church that benefited from the Avid-SSC scam was the Voice of God Fellowship in Khomasdal.The church and some members received tithes and donations from the embattled head of Namangol, Nico Josea.The Voice of God Fellowship decided to pay back the money and has so far returned around N$100 000.