Namibia: Vice-President Collapses

VICE president Nickey Iyambo was resting at home in Windhoek after he reportedly collapsed at Tsumeb on Saturday.

Iyambo collapsed shortly after addressing a belated Heroes' Day celebration at Tsumeb. He stood in for President Hage Geingob.

Presidential spokesperson Albertus Aochamub yesterday afternoon said he had heard about the incident, but was not privy to any details.

Oshikoto governor Henock Kankoshi, who was quoted by Nampa as having said that Iyambo's fainting came after the vice president had not eaten anything all morning, yesterday said his lips were sealed in light of allegedly having been misquoted. "From the bottom of my heart, I don't want to be misquoted. Thank you very much, my dear."

Vice-President Collapses

A man who answered Iyambo's mobile phone shortly before 17h00 yesterday afternoon said: "He is in Windhoek, but he is resting now." At 17h31, the same person said Iyambo was still resting.

What he did add, however, was: "What I know is he (Iyambo) is 100% fine."

Frans Kapofi, the minister of presidential affairs yesterday said Iyambo was doing well and had even attended to his cattle at his Tsumeb farm.

Kapofi also said Iyambo returned to Windhoek yesterday.

Meanwhile, politician Hidipo Hamutenya remains in hospital after being admitted over a week ago.

Efforts to establish Hamutenya's condition proved futile as family members said they are not at liberty to discuss the matter with the media.

It was reported that Hamutenya was admitted to the Ongwediva MediPark private hospital after collapsing at a wedding reception.

He reportedly collapsed at the Onamutai village in the Oshana region, and was rushed to the Ongwediva MediPark.