The land of corruption and self-made economic recession
The land of corruption and self-made economic recession

The land of corruption and self-made economic recession

Mandy Rittmann
ANDREAS HLT HAINGHUMBI, LIBERAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC & POLITICAL ACTIVIST WRITES:

Corruption is a bigger problem than any other form of organized crime and fraud in Namibia.

The one that witnesses and remain silent regarding these evil acts of fellow men out of self-righteousness or fear of persecution is surely equally responsible for the occurrence of such deeds. The rate at which corruption is escalating in this country is very sickening.

The economic recession which this country is experiencing is not due to deflation in global markets as they claim to excuse themselves, it’s simply due to the corrupt individuals in this country which hinders economic growth. Year after year, millions and millions of dollars are stolen or reported missing without a trace especially in the government institutions.

Thousands of people in this country, especially the youth are unemployed regardless of their academic qualifications and many young and old are starving and have no ownership of the land. The majority of people are suffering at the expense of the very few well connected individuals who are at the helm of power or in positions of influence.

These corrupt practices has turned this country into a banana republic, a land of brave lawless immoral corrupt individuals who have no sympathy for fellow country men and women whom they are supposed to serve since they are elected and trusted to diligently carry out the mandate of such positions but instead they use such positions to enrich themselves by all means possible.

A wise investor will not invest money in this country because there’s nothing genuine to gain in a corrupt state. As a genuine business man or woman your business cannot flourish in the midst of corruption because among the people you hire in your business there will be some bad apples.

Only the corrupt investors will be motivated to invest in a corrupt state because that’s the only way they know how to do business, they have no moral values.

ALL POLITICS

The apparent national conferences dealing with investment and land were nothing but a hoax. These are well organized money making events which bear no fruits for the general public but only for a few corrupt individuals.

The fact of the matter is that, regardless of what they have promised or what was agreed upon during such conferences, nothing will or has manifested so far. It’s all politics and politics is not a game of thrones but a game of deception.

It’s no secret that certain individuals in positions of influence when they go on official trips whether locally or abroad they don’t put the interest of the country first but instead they first negotiate for their personal benefit packages with possible investors.

We have a moral problem in this country. The fact that no one is held accountable for corrupt practices just fuels the epidemic of corruption. The real criminals in this country are wearing suits, living lavishly and walking freely without shame while the innocents are locked up and upright citizens are starving.

I believe that Namibia is among the most corrupt nations in Africa and it’s really getting worse.

It has been reported just recently that the Prosecutor General admitted that the government failed to trace the money lost at the GIPF because of lost documents, forgetful officials and lack of evidence.

The Namibian government has also incurred legal fees of N$5,3 million in the United Kingdom to three lawyers. Mr. Shanghala, can you please explain to the members of the public what it is that the foreign lawyers can do that the Namibian-based lawyers cannot do?

The Oshakati Town Council is unable to account for more than N$15 million from its coffers. Eenhana Town Council shifts blame on its auditor for the lack of supporting documents for its financial statements regarding the obviously stolen, unexplained N$9 million.

Let me also remind you, Namibia's financial crime-busting centre at the Bank of Namibia flagged around N$6,3 billion as potential proceeds of crime in just one year. This is an increase from previous years. The Namibian reported in 2017 that the agency flagged N$5,7 billion from 2010 to 2016. The director of the Financial Intelligence Centre, Leonie Dunn, said the Centre did not turn a blind eye to the disappearance of around N$350 million from the now defunct SME Bank.

ACCOUNTABILITY

I do understand why nobody is being held accountable for billions of stolen public funds. The culprits may be well known public office bearers and due to their positions of influence and corrupt network with fellow corrupt elites nothing is done. The justice system is a puppet of the corrupt culprits.

In the midst of economic recession and severe drought, how in the world can you build new SWAPO headquarters costing N$730 million? What happened to common sense and humanitarian leadership?

Someone is sleeping hungry and there are no medicines in state hospitals but building these headquarters is more of a priority than satisfying the basic needs of the general public? This is insanity.

There are corrupt opportunists stealing drought relief aid and that has been a practice for some time.

There has been reports about individuals managing government institutions increasing their salaries at will, disregarding institutional regulations.

The notorious spoilt brats such as Air Namibia, Namibia Wildlife Resort, Roadw Authority, TransNamib, the NBC etc. are forever being bailed out but individuals are never held accountable. There’s no fear anymore since every corrupt practice is swept under the carpet. Nobody is afraid of anybody since these individuals are all part of the network of a secret, corrupt society and they all know each other's activities, so, who will expose who?

The Anti-Corruption Commission is dead wood.

PSEMAS has been losing on average N$900 million per year due to fraud, abuse, waste and collusion.

This government is nothing but a cash cow for corrupt individuals. Those that are honest will admit it.

There are no limits to corruption in this country, whether it’s land, tenders, mining, draught relief, vacancies, fishing quotas, etc.

It’s sad to say that this country is slowly but surely handed to foreigners. This is what is called state capture. Whoever owes another is a slave. This country is sold out through dubious foreign investment deals, MoUs and loans.

FEAR NOT . . .

Fellow Namibian, fear or foolish loyalty will not give you a job or feed your family. Either you join the corrupt or you stand against the corrupt.

Don’t be afraid to rise up against the culprits, otherwise future generations will suffer greatly as a consequence of our sins.

Young people, don’t be fooled by being told that your time will come to rule this country. Yes, the time will come for you to rule this country but it will be tough by then to set us free from our economic predicament.

By then most of the corrupt elite will be long gone while those still alive will be rejoicing in their corruptly gained retirement wealth.

I urge elected and appointed leaders to uphold the pledge they made when they decided to commit to their professions as public servants and be people of principles guided by moral values.

You mentioned accountability and transparency but none of your words hold water Mr. President.

Criminals are mostly protected and respected in this country and of course they defend each other in the spirit of comradeship. Birds of the same feathers flock together.

Since the Swapo elders have closed the doors of high positions through age restriction, it’s now up to you, young people to work together and change the political landscape, economic and social status of this country. It’s up to you to transform this country.

Young people, you have the power to change the governance of this country by casting your vote for those that are worth it. Save and serve your country before it’s too late!

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Republikein 2024-05-15

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Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 0 vs 2 Manchester City | Aston Villa 3 vs 3 Liverpool | Manchester United 0 vs 1 Arsenal LaLiga: Girona 0 vs 1 Villarreal | Real Madrid 5 vs 0 Deportivo Alaves | Osasuna 1 vs 1 Mallorca | Barcelona 2 vs 0 Real Sociedad | Real Betis 3 vs 2 Almería | Valencia 0 vs 0 Rayo Vallecano | Atletico Madrid 1 vs 0 Celta Vigo | Cadiz 1 vs 0 Getafe SerieA: Fiorentina 2 vs 1 Monza | Lecce 0 vs 2 Udinese | Atalanta 2 vs 1 AS Roma | Juventus 1 vs 1 Salernitana | Genoa 2 vs 1 Sassuolo | Hellas Verona 1 vs 2 Torino | SS Lazio 2 vs 0 Empoli European Championships Qualifying: West Bromwich Albion 0 vs 0 Southampton | Norwich City 0 vs 0 Leeds United English Championship: West Bromwich Albion 0 vs 0 Southampton | Norwich City 0 vs 0 Leeds United Katima Mulilo: 12° | 30° Rundu: 11° | 29° Eenhana: 14° | 31° Oshakati: 14° | 30° Ruacana: 14° | 30° Tsumeb: 14° | 28° Otjiwarongo: 11° | 26° Omaruru: 14° | 29° Windhoek: 12° | 25° Gobabis: 14° | 25° Henties Bay: 19° | 34° Wind speed: 27km/h, Wind direction: SE, Low tide: 03:18, High tide: 09:17, Low Tide: 15:19, High tide: 22:12 Swakopmund: 19° | 26° Wind speed: 20km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 03:16, High tide: 09:15, Low Tide: 15:17, High tide: 22:10 Walvis Bay: 23° | 35° Wind speed: 25km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 03:16, High tide: 09:14, Low Tide: 15:17, High tide: 22:09 Rehoboth: 13° | 26° Mariental: 16° | 28° Keetmanshoop: 19° | 28° Aranos: 15° | 28° Lüderitz: 20° | 36° Ariamsvlei: 19° | 31° Oranjemund: 16° | 29° Luanda: 24° | 28° Gaborone: 15° | 28° Lubumbashi: 11° | 27° Mbabane: 13° | 25° Maseru: 10° | 25° Antananarivo: 14° | 22° Lilongwe: 14° | 27° Maputo: 17° | 28° Windhoek: 12° | 25° Cape Town: 15° | 22° Durban: 17° | 25° Johannesburg: 15° | 24° Dar es Salaam: 23° | 31° Lusaka: 15° | 25° Harare: 12° | 25° Currency: GBP to NAD 23.11 | EUR to NAD 19.86 | CNY to NAD 2.54 | USD to NAD 18.37 | DZD to NAD 0.14 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.3 | EGP to NAD 0.38 | KES to NAD 0.14 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.72 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.58 | RUB to NAD 0.2 | INR to NAD 0.22 | USD to DZD 134.03 | USD to AOA 834.06 | USD to BWP 13.56 | USD to EGP 46.75 | USD to KES 129.98 | USD to NGN 1498 | USD to ZAR 18.37 | USD to ZMW 25.6 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index 78632.56 Down -0.07% | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1710.9 Down -2.52% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 13501.46 Down -0.29% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 25339.77 Down -0.16% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI 9151.06 Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 363.35/OZ UP +0.32% | Copper US$ 4.95/lb UP +1.51% | Zinc US$ 3 015.00/T UP 0.79% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 82.20/BBP DOWN -0.0116 | Platinum US$ 1 045.67/OZ UP +0.18% Sport results: Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 0 vs 2 Manchester City | Aston Villa 3 vs 3 Liverpool | Manchester United 0 vs 1 Arsenal LaLiga: Girona 0 vs 1 Villarreal | Real Madrid 5 vs 0 Deportivo Alaves | Osasuna 1 vs 1 Mallorca | Barcelona 2 vs 0 Real Sociedad | Real Betis 3 vs 2 Almería | Valencia 0 vs 0 Rayo Vallecano | Atletico Madrid 1 vs 0 Celta Vigo | Cadiz 1 vs 0 Getafe SerieA: Fiorentina 2 vs 1 Monza | Lecce 0 vs 2 Udinese | Atalanta 2 vs 1 AS Roma | Juventus 1 vs 1 Salernitana | Genoa 2 vs 1 Sassuolo | Hellas Verona 1 vs 2 Torino | SS Lazio 2 vs 0 Empoli European Championships Qualifying: West Bromwich Albion 0 vs 0 Southampton | Norwich City 0 vs 0 Leeds United English Championship: West Bromwich Albion 0 vs 0 Southampton | Norwich City 0 vs 0 Leeds United Weather: Katima Mulilo: 12° | 30° Rundu: 11° | 29° Eenhana: 14° | 31° Oshakati: 14° | 30° Ruacana: 14° | 30° Tsumeb: 14° | 28° Otjiwarongo: 11° | 26° Omaruru: 14° | 29° Windhoek: 12° | 25° Gobabis: 14° | 25° Henties Bay: 19° | 34° Wind speed: 27km/h, Wind direction: SE, Low tide: 03:18, High tide: 09:17, Low Tide: 15:19, High tide: 22:12 Swakopmund: 19° | 26° Wind speed: 20km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 03:16, High tide: 09:15, Low Tide: 15:17, High tide: 22:10 Walvis Bay: 23° | 35° Wind speed: 25km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 03:16, High tide: 09:14, Low Tide: 15:17, High tide: 22:09 Rehoboth: 13° | 26° Mariental: 16° | 28° Keetmanshoop: 19° | 28° Aranos: 15° | 28° Lüderitz: 20° | 36° Ariamsvlei: 19° | 31° Oranjemund: 16° | 29° Luanda: 24° | 28° Gaborone: 15° | 28° Lubumbashi: 11° | 27° Mbabane: 13° | 25° Maseru: 10° | 25° Antananarivo: 14° | 22° Lilongwe: 14° | 27° Maputo: 17° | 28° Windhoek: 12° | 25° Cape Town: 15° | 22° Durban: 17° | 25° Johannesburg: 15° | 24° Dar es Salaam: 23° | 31° Lusaka: 15° | 25° Harare: 12° | 25° Economic Indicators: Currency: GBP to NAD 23.11 | EUR to NAD 19.86 | CNY to NAD 2.54 | USD to NAD 18.37 | DZD to NAD 0.14 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.3 | EGP to NAD 0.38 | KES to NAD 0.14 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.72 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.58 | RUB to NAD 0.2 | INR to NAD 0.22 | USD to DZD 134.03 | USD to AOA 834.06 | USD to BWP 13.56 | USD to EGP 46.75 | USD to KES 129.98 | USD to NGN 1498 | USD to ZAR 18.37 | USD to ZMW 25.6 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index 78632.56 Down -0.07% | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1710.9 Down -2.52% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 13501.46 Down -0.29% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 25339.77 Down -0.16% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI 9151.06 Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 363.35/OZ UP +0.32% | Copper US$ 4.95/lb UP +1.51% | Zinc US$ 3 015.00/T UP 0.79% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 82.20/BBP DOWN -0.0116 | Platinum US$ 1 045.67/OZ UP +0.18%