WINDHOEK FAITH SANKWASA
A former combatant of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), John Madume Mbwalala, will be given veteran status with all benefits, including receiving psychological counselling at the expense of the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs.
Mbwalala, who is also known as Haleinge, has been living in abject poverty in Angola for the past 23 years and apparently has post-traumatic stress disorder.
On Friday, veterans' affairs permanent secretary William Amagulu told Namibian Sun that Mbwalala's veteran status application will be fast-tracked so that he can receive a lump-sum payout, a monthly pension of N$2 200 and free medical cover until he is declared fit.
According to Amagulu, Mbwalala will also get a house in a Namibian town of his choice and a relative will be appointed to handle his financial affairs under ministry supervision.
Amagulu said the size of the lump sum would depend on when Mbwalala joined the liberation struggle. If he joined PLAN between 1959 and 1989, he qualifies for N$50 000; if he is amongst those who joined between 1988 and 1989, he will be paid N$20 000.
Amagulu added that if Mbwalala has underage children, the ministry would provide for their education.
Mbwalala's application will be processed within a day or two. An administrator will be appointed from his family to take care of Mbwalala's welfare and money, but the ministry will be monitoring them.
I am made to understand that Mbwalala's health is not good. He allegedly hears gunshots due to the trauma he suffered during the liberation struggle. He actually goes into combat mode but psychologists are positive he can be healed, though it will take time, Amagulu said.
When asked why the ministry took long to get Mbwalala repatriated, Amagulu said in 2011 his office was notified about two former PLAN soldiers living in Angola, but could not handle the matter alone.
He said the matter was referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which involved the police too.
We did investigations but nothing came of it, after which our ministry notified the foreign affairs counterparts. Further consultations led to the involvement of the police, who did not act immediately until Mbwalala's plight was aired on television two weeks ago, Amagulu said.