Renthia Kaimbi
Human rights activist Phil ya Nangolo has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah not to grant former Namibia Defence Force (NDF) chief Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala a state funeral or any official honours.
Hawala died on Monday, 11 August 2025 at the age of 89.
Nangolo, who leads NamRights, said Nandi-Ndaitwah should “refrain from according ‘Jesus’ a state or any official funeral at all.”
He pointed to unresolved allegations from the liberation struggle era, saying NamRights has lodged a submission with the International Criminal Court to investigate Hawala and others over the disappearance of hundreds of Namibians during exile.
He rejected claims that the case had been dismissed, saying it remains pending before the ICC.
“And regardless of his passing, there are still other critical suspects, such as James Vilho Auala, who are liable to be prosecuted for Lubango and other exile crimes,” he said. He again called for a national truth-telling forum to investigate wartime crimes “on both sides”.
The cabinet last month announced a moratorium on official funerals until March 2026 to review the criteria used to grant such honours.
While the moratorium is in place, the President retains the constitutional authority to confer national honours.
However, Nandi-Ndaitwah did not exercise these powers in June when Moses Amweelo, a former minister and liberation struggle veteran, was buried shortly after the moratorium was imposed.
Amweelo’s family was angered that he was not awarded a state funeral. The family said their request to the government, submitted through the ruling Swapo Party, for Amweelo’s funeral to be accorded such honors was rejected.
Previously, political analyst Ben Mulongeni had said Amweelo deserved a state funeral.
Despite opposition from NamRights, Hawala has received tributes from the Nandi-Ndaitwah and veterans’ organisations.
In an official message, Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed “deep sorrow” and praised his decades of service, from his roles as second assistant commander and deputy commander of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia to his post-independence leadership as NDF army commander and later chief of the NDF.
She also highlighted his political service in Swapo’s central committee and politburo and as the party’s representative in Zambia.
“Comrade Hawala’s commitment… places him alongside icons and heroes who waged war and contributed to the independence of Namibia,” she said.
“His legacy will forever be etched in the annals of our history… His wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to national unity…are appreciated and serve as an inspiration.”
Namibia National Liberation Veterans Association president Ben Shikongo supported Hawala’s recognition.
He recommended Nandi-Ndaitwah approve a state heroes funeral and burial at Heroes Acre.
The debate comes as state funeral costs have drawn public scrutiny but also questions as to whether Nandi-Ndaitwah will use her powers to accord Hawala a state funeral.
In 2021, political commentators warned that state funeral costs were spiralling after the budget was overspent by N$5 million, largely due to Covid-19 deaths.
By April this year, prime minister Elijah Ngurare announced that state and official funerals would cost taxpayers N$38.4 million in 2024/2025.
The office of the prime minister, with a N$1.1 billion budget, had already spent N$39.8 million on 38 funerals and national celebrations like Independence Day and Heroes Day.
Earlier this year, N$30 million went into transporting founding president Sam Nujoma’s body to seven regions, with each of the 14 regions receiving N$500,000 for memorial services. In 2023, the government spent N$2.1 million on 23 state funerals. Other high-profile funerals included N$3 million for Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, N$2 million for Rosalia Nghidinwa, and N$1.5 million for Kunene governor Angelika Muharukua.
