Kapofi, Simataa not exonerated

Kapofi, Simataa not exonerated Presidential spokesperson Al

bertus Aochamub rose quickly to defend his boss following reports that President Hage Geingob had exonerated SME Bank chairmen George Simataa and Frans Kapofi following the closure of the government-controlled bank.

This follows a media conference held at State House last Monday at which the president spoke about the SME Bank saga.

According to Aochamub, Geingob never said Kapofi and Simataa were off the hook following the demise of the SME Bank.

“Some reports hold, in part, that the president exonerated Frans Kapofi, minister of presidential affairs and former chairperson of the SME Bank, and George Simataa, the secretary to cabinet and most recent chairperson of the SME Bank, from any responsibilities with regards to state of affairs at the bank. Such reports are false and do not reflect the true letter and spirit of statements the president made at the said media conference,” Aochamub said.

According to Aochamub, neither Simataa nor Kapofi has been found guilty by a court.

“President Geingob emphasised the fact that all Namibians are innocent until proven guilty in terms of our constitution. To that end, Kapofi and Simataa cannot be found guilty by media or any stakeholder group without a proper due process being followed in terms of the laws of the land and a guilty verdict reached,” said Aochamub.

The presidential spokesperson added that Geingob acknowledged that the two had fiduciary responsibilities for the SME Bank.

“The president accepted that the directors of the SME bank have fiduciary responsibility over the affairs of the bank and the laws of the land prescribe appropriate sanctions where a breach of the relevant laws is proven,” said Aochamub.

“The administration will not, under any circumstances, interfere with the judiciary processes of the country as the president respects the constitutional provisions of the separation of powers between the various branches of the state.”

Geingob had in the past distanced himself from the SME Bank, saying that it was never his project.

“The SME Bank was never a 'Hage' project. It came about as a result of a cabinet resolution. I am not quiet on the SME Bank. Action is being taken and the courts are going to deal with that,” Geingob said in July.

OGONE TLHAGE