Soldier dies in battle with UNITA

Namibia’s defence ministry confirmed that a soldier died in battle with UNITA rebels two weeks ago, but denied reports that the killing occurred in the Angolan bush or that there were other casualties, the ‘Namibian’ reported on Wednesday. Vincent Mwange, spokesperson for the ministry was quoted as saying that Lieutenant Khumalo Shilongo died “along the border when there was an exchange of fire” between UNITA and Namibia Defence Force (NDF) soldiers. Pressed about the date and whether the fighting took place inside Namibia or Angola, Mwange stuck to “along the [Angolan] border with Namibia”, but people closely linked to soldiers involved in the fighting against the rebel movement said the shooting took place at least 40 km inside south-eastern Angola, east of Chimbaranda, the report said. Asked how many Namibian soldiers had died in Angola since the NDF began sending troops after UNITA, Mwange said: “I have said what I want people to hear. Of what significance is it for you to know the number? What is the purpose of that question?” Mwange claimed he could not release “certain information” for “security reasons”, the report added.