MP claims leaked video is ‘political conspiracy’

By Eliaser Ndeyanale

ENGELA constituency Councillor Jason Ndakunda claims that a video clip in which he appears to be under the influence of alcohol while driving had been widely exaggerated. In the 30-second clip which surfaced on Tuesday, Ndakunda can be seen drinking from a 600ml Windhoek draught beer while telling a woman in Oshikwanyama to leave the scene of the crime.

“You meme go away. Look at that coward, the one that is taking pictures,” he said.

According to an eye witness, Ndakunda who is also a Swapo Member of Parliament (MP) in the National Council, bumped a Toyota Runx at Oshikango on Monday at around 14h00. The Runx is damaged at the rear but apparently no one sustained any injury.

Asked by Confidente about the incident, Ndakunda said; “Yes it’s me, but I was not drunk and I did not have alcohol. It’s wishful thinking. The people who took the video clip want to compete with the media. I took the can because I was confused. The can had been in the car for a long time. I just took it because I was confused, it was an accident. They were threatening me. That is not how it happened… the video has been exaggerated and blown out of proportion. It’s politics because this is an election year and the independent candidates want offices now they want to discredit me,” he said.

He however wrote on his Facebook page, “I hereby wish to unconditionally apologise for what happened yesterday (Tuesday) as being cirrculated in a video on social media.  I fully regret the icident and all the inconvenience that it may have caused.”

If it proves true that Ndakunda was in fact consuming alcohol and driving it would be in defiance of the state of emergency declared by President Hage Geingob to prevent the spread of the Covid-19.

Confidente understands that a case of negligent and driving under the influence of alcohol was opened against Ndakunda on Monday but attempts to get hold of police spokesperson in Ohangwena Warrant Officer Kaume Iitumba for confirmation proved futile, as he did not answer his mobile phone.