The DTA presses for another pension hike

DTA President Katuutire Kaura yesterday made his fourth appeal to the National Assembly in as many years to have pensions increased.

He wants Government to consider raising the monthly pension from N$300 to N$500. Kaura said this time his motion came in view of the plight of Namibia’s growing number of orphans, many of whom are looked after by pensioners.Kaura claimed that orphans in Windhoek were forced to eat from garbage cans to survive.”I believe it is imperative that we must empower our senior citizens to continue fulfilling this role of providing shelter, proper care and upbringing to our children,” said Kaura.The DTA leader said that Government had always raised the objection that there was not enough money available in the Budget to raise pensions.However, in the end it had always managed to raise them, even if not by the requested amount.He suggested that this time around the money be found in the budget of the Defence Force, which was granted N$1,2 billion during the current financial year.”There is no threat of invasion, there is no tension internally.What are we doing with a bloated army which is wasting ammunition shooting at mountains in Ozoserekaze,” he asked.Kaura suggested that the country should focus on strengthening its Police force rather than its army.He further suggested that Government would have more money available if it reduced its Cabinet and instead invested the money in projects that could generate funds and create jobs.Kaura was supported by Jurie Viljoen of Monitor Action Group (MAG).Viljoen said it was not possible for pensioners to live on only N$300 a month.Pensions were raised from N$250 to N$300 this financial year after Kaura pressed for an increase.Deputy Minister of Justice Uutoni Nujoma responded that given the worldwide terrorism threat and the bombings some years ago in Kenya and Tanzania, Namibia’s defence force had to be well-trained and armed.Kaura said this time his motion came in view of the plight of Namibia’s growing number of orphans, many of whom are looked after by pensioners.Kaura claimed that orphans in Windhoek were forced to eat from garbage cans to survive.”I believe it is imperative that we must empower our senior citizens to continue fulfilling this role of providing shelter, proper care and upbringing to our children,” said Kaura.The DTA leader said that Government had always raised the objection that there was not enough money available in the Budget to raise pensions.However, in the end it had always managed to raise them, even if not by the requested amount.He suggested that this time around the money be found in the budget of the Defence Force, which was granted N$1,2 billion during the current financial year.”There is no threat of invasion, there is no tension internally.What are we doing with a bloated army which is wasting ammunition shooting at mountains in Ozoserekaze,” he asked.Kaura suggested that the country should focus on strengthening its Police force rather than its army.He further suggested that Government would have more money available if it reduced its Cabinet and instead invested the money in projects that could generate funds and create jobs.Kaura was supported by Jurie Viljoen of Monitor Action Group (MAG).Viljoen said it was not possible for pensioners to live on only N$300 a month.Pensions were raised from N$250 to N$300 this financial year after Kaura pressed for an increase.Deputy Minister of Justice Uutoni Nujoma responded that given the worldwide terrorism threat and the bombings some years ago in Kenya and Tanzania, Namibia’s defence force had to be well-trained and armed.