27 Apr 2021

The Namibia presidency has issued a statement following President Dr Hage Geingob’s visit to the family of the Nchindo brothers who were killed in a Botswana Defence Force operation last year.

  Following is the full text of the statement;

 “The President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Dr Hage G. Geingob concluded today Monday 26 April 2021, meetings with Traditional Authorities, and residents of Impalila Island, and condoled with the bereaved Nchindo family in the Zambezi Region.

On Saturday evening, 24 April 2021, the President held briefing meetings with the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Hon. Albert Kawana, the Secretary to Cabinet, Dr. George Simataa, the Regional Governor, Honourable Lawrence Sampofu and senior government officials to discuss developmental matters pertaining to the region. On Sunday, 25 April 2021, President Geingob held consultations with the Leaders of Traditional Authorities in the Zambezi Region.

During the meeting, Chief Kisco Liswani III of the Masubiya, Chief Boniface Shufu of the Mayeyi, Chief Joseph Tembwe Mayuni of the Mashi and Chief George Mamili VII of the Mafwe assured President Geingob of their continued cooperation in order to advance the collective developmental interests of the region. Moreover, the Traditional Leaders also denounced the divisive activities of some of the movements, including the Zambezi Lives Matters, saying that these were aimed at instability and damaging politicization of the Nchindo killings at the hands of the Botswana Defence Force.

In that vein, the Traditional Leaders informed that the approach taken by President Geingob and the Namibian Government following the killings of the Nchindo brothers and their cousin on 5 November 2020 was correct to advance a peaceful border with Botswana and good neighbourliness. President Geingob provided a report regarding the Nchindo killings and the border issues, and thanked the Traditional Authorities for their support and cooperation, including the role they play in social cohesion in the country.

Following meetings with the Traditional Authorities, President Geingob, accompanied by the Prime Minister and Chief Liswani III proceeded to Impalila Island where the President held a community meeting with residents of the Island, thanking them for their cooperation following the killings of the Nchindo brothers.

The President emphasized that he was not only on the Island to meet with the community, but most importantly to meet with the Nchindo Family in order to extend condolences and to hear and see first-hand how the family was doing. Members of the Impalila community raised a number of developmental concerns, including the absence of adequate health infrastructure on the Island, and other infrastructure deficits leading to poor access to the mainland and the need for more employment opportunities for the residents.

President Geingob informed that the Government would look into the issues raised and the relevant Government Offices, Ministries and Agencies would look at addressing the concerns of the Impalila community. The community requested President Geingob to return to the Island before completion of the Presidential term, a request the President acceded to without hesitation.

President Geingob proceeded to the Nchindo family homestead where the President extended sincere condolences to the family in person following the death of the Nchindo brothers, including their mother Alphonsina Mubu. 

The Head of State provided a report on progress with regard to the killings of the Nchindo brothers, Tommy, Martin, Wamunyima and informed the Nchindo family that he had raised the “shoot to kill” policy with former President Ian Khama of the Republic of Botswana. 

However, the current President Mokgweetsi Masisi of the Republic of Botswana had reassured President Geingob that the Botswana Defence Force did not have a “shoot to kill policy”. President Geingob further informed that President Masisi was a good friend of Namibia, and had expressed regret at the shootings and also extended condolences to the Nchindo Family, including Namibia at large. The matter is currently before the institutions of Botswana.

With regard to the report, which the Nchindo family requested to see, the President informed that the joint investigation report into the killings was complete, as he had previously announced and the Government would consider their request to view contents of the report. 

However, the question of jurisdiction was equally important and the report could not be made public, the President emphasized.

In the family statement, read on behalf by the family spokesperson, Mr. Owen Sinvula, the Nchindo family expressed appreciation to President Geingob and the Government for having accompanied the family during a difficult period after the killings of the Nchindo brothers and their cousin, including their mother who passed away subsequently. Distancing the family from the activities of Zambezi Lives Matter, the Nchindo family requested further assistance following the deaths of the brothers and husbands. 

President Geingob informed that the Government would look into the request for assistance, in addition to what had been provided already.

President Geingob concluded today 26 April 2021 the consultations and meetings on the Impalila Island in the Zambezi Region with a tour of Government facilities. 

The President was accompanied to the Zambezi Region by the First Lady, Madame Monica Geingos, the Right Honourable Prime Minister, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Constituency Councillor, Hon. John Likando, the Secretary to Cabinet, and the Press Secretary.” Ends