President dismisses claimed association with Mobipay

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob on Sunday dismissed claims on social media linking him and first lady Monica Geingos to the distribution of Covid-19 emergency aid announced by the government.

A message posted on social media alleged that “MobiPay is a company owned by Friends of President Geingob reportedly chosen to distribute emergency Covid-19 funds” (sic).

The message was posted following the announcement of an N$8,1 billion emergency package by the government to assist businesses and people financially hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement released by presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari, it was charged that the message was aimed at misinforming the nation and had been crafted and posted by people on a crusade to tarnish the name of the president and the first lady.

“The government has put in place a task force to deal with all logistical arrangements related to Covid-19. In line with resident Geingob’s call for transparency and zero tolerance for corruption, and to assure taxpayers that the funds earmarked for Covid-19 will be used for the intended purposes, the task force has measures in place within its governance structure to ensure accountability,” Hengari said.

He added that it should be noted the president is not involved in the procurement process of goods and services, and that campaigns of disinformation undermine the seriousness with which Namibians should deal with Covid-19.

Hengari said it was “regrettable that even at this time where Namibians need to come together to combat the imminent threat posed by this pandemic, people still resort to spreading disinformation”.

The president called on Namibians to unite and not to be distracted in their quest to defeat the virus causing Covid-19.

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