Government is looking for a revolution: Rukoro

WINDHOEK, 31 OCT  – Government’s decision to lease four farms to Comsar Properties SA for 99 years – a company owned by Russian billionaire Rashid Sardarov – is an indication that it is yearning for a revolution and civil unrest in Namibia.
This is according to Ovaherero Traditional Authority Paramount Chief, Advocate Vekuii Rukoro, who spoke at media briefing on Wednesday, when he unpacked various issues pertaining to land in Namibia.
He described the deal which saw Sardarov buy four farms through his company and then donate to Government and later rent those farms as an “immoral N.dollars 43 million scandal”.
“It’s a corrupt deal. It’s an immoral deal. It’s an unlawful deal. It’s a despicable deal. It’s a government engaging in open daylight theft,” he charged.
The four farms measure a combined 17 000 hectares.
An angry Rukoro vented: “Government is looking for looking for a revolution. Government is inviting unrest. Government is looking for trouble in a peaceful country. We are ready to collect.”
The advocate-cum-traditional leader then commended the Popular Democratic Movement and Landless People’s Movement for taking the legal route to have the deal reversed.
“They have a strong case, morally, politically and legally,” he said, adding that the deal defeats government’s own policies and laws.
“Laws made for a good purpose to advance the social and economic interests of its own people. Laws that specifically say no foreign national shall be given land for more than 10 years,” he said.
On the just-ended second National Land Conference, Rukoro said OTA had no expectations “whatsoever”.
He said the status quo in terms of the structure of land ownership in Namibia will remain intact.
“Nothing will change unless we do what we have to do and what we shall do outside of the proceedings of that conference, period!”
In short, he branded the convention as “the N.dollars 15 million Harambee House Party”, in reference to the money the government spent on the five-day event.
Echoing similar sentiments to that of Rukoro was Sam Kambazembi of the Kambazembi Royal House, who wanted to know if President Hage Geingob was informed about the controversial transaction.
“When the Russian news scandal broke out, the Head of State was out of the country and we have not heard from him whether he is aware or part of the scandal or not,” Kambazembi said.
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Land Reform Minister Utoni Nujoma and Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein have come defence of the transaction, saying it was made in the best interest of Namibia.
(NAMPA)