Former PLAN fighters pay last respect to Ashipala
By Esau Muzeu

The former Plan combatants special unit Commander, Typhoon, who became commissioner for the special field force in an independent Namibia, commissioner Ruben Danger Ashipala has died at the age of 62.

The Katutura ELCIN Hosiana Church was fully parked to its capacity with comrades in uniforms mainly former Peoples Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) combatants and civilian those who participated in the war for liberation to pay their last respect to the late Commissioner Ashipala cognomen Danger.

He was described by many as a fearless fighter who joined the liberation struggle at his tender age like many young Namibian who joined SWAPO of Namibia during the 70s to liberate Namibia from the yoke of colonialism.

The memorial service was attended by dignitaries such as President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Founding Father Dr. Sam Nujoma, Vice president of SWAPO Party Dr. Hage Gaingob, deputy Secretary General minister of safety and security Nangolo Mbumba, Defence Mininister Charles Namoloh, Acting Defence Chief mojor general Peter Nambundunga, Police Chief Inspector General Sabastian Deitunga and members of the diplomatic Corps. The liberation songs were sung to harmonise with the lyrics from the hymns.

Danger joined SWAPO armed wing PLAN in the 70s, where he served as a Commander ever since he joined PLAN. He received his training in the then Soviet Union as a reconnaissance and a Commander.

Speaking at the memorial service, Namoloh describes Danger as a man who always talk about fighting and strategizing every time, he liked talking about war, how to go about it. “He is a fearless man and he never feared anything” said Namoloh.

Cde Danger was entrusted to lead the special unity that fought Boers at the triangle inside Namibia, which was an economic area by then, where most Boers were doing their crop and animal farming, the same unity operated in the area of Kavango Region. This unit penetrated the whole police zone which was commercial area deep in Namibia as far as Okahandja and later down South of Namibia.

This unit according to Namolo, consisted of young tough and fearless men that were trained to operate one or group of two, as there were given tough task deep inside the country.

President Pohamba said that he was touched by the Namoloh s Description of Danger, he therefore urged all intellectual to write something about the liberation struggle now or lecture it to the students so that our liberation struggle would not disappear.

“I always say we should talk about the person while he is alive, just like I do, I always tell you that when you talk about the history of Namibia and you don’t mention Nujoma’s name then you are wrong. This country is liberated because of his contribution”, said Pohamba. Adding that, we are enjoying peace in this country because of this man rested in the coffin today.

Speaking at the Service Founding Father Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma described him as a hero who had a unit of Commando, he had to sing the commando song, “etanga lekomando”. He gave a word of comfort to the bereaved family of Danger.

Namoloh told the congregation how he commanded the battle where PLAN Combatants captured Johan van der Mescht, in Namibia and how they managed to take him to Lubango.

It was not easy as the South African racist occupationists Army wanted to recapture Johan van der Mescht back. There were several battles taking place in the area. He said.