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Allexer Namundjebo Walvis Bay Rural Constituency councillor Donatus Tegako has denied claims that he used his position to award a study grant to his alleged cousin, Patrik Naftal.  Tegako says the accusations are false and politically driven. The allegations involve a N$10 000 grant reportedly awarded to Naftal through the Constituency Development Committee.  Critics claim the amount exceeded the maximum N$5 000 usually granted per student and suggest Naftal received special treatment due to family ties with Tegako. Responding to Windhoek Observer, Tegako said he does not manage or approve financial decisions at the regional council. “I want to make it clear, I do not instruct, approve, or process any payments at the regional council. This includes procurement and student financial assistance. The process is handled by administrative staff following laid-down procedures. To say Patrik Naftal is my cousin is completely false. That’s propaganda aimed at tarnishing my name.” He explained that Naftal, a third-year nursing student, applied for financial help with documents showing his debt and risk of deregistration.  Tegako said Naftal is an orphan with no support system. “The student’s file, like all others that met the criteria, was forwarded to the Control Administrative Officer. From there, a submission was made to the Head of Finance, who recommended that the student receive additional funding based on his circumstances. The request was then approved by the Chief Regional Officer (CRO), who is the accounting authority of the institution. I have no role in that chain,” Tegako said. He defended the decision to award N$10,000, stating that the standard amount would not have covered the student’s fees. “Given the gravity of his situation, the CRO approved the additional funding. It wasn’t my decision. I do not award grants, and I do not process payments. These claims are nothing but a smear campaign by people who sit in our office and want to become councillors themselves.” Tegako said critics overlook his personal financial support for struggling students over the years. “I have spent nearly N$40,000 from my own pocket over the past four and a half years helping students. I have receipts and proof of every payment. Just this year alone, I paid N$3,500 in registration fees for one student and N$4,900 for another IUM student to sit for exams. I even paid N$11,300 for a student to register at Welwitchia University. These are students I don’t even know personally,” he said. Tegako said he stands by the decision to help Naftal, describing him as a high-performing student. “Our office is here to assist people like him. We couldn’t let a top-performing orphan be left behind simply because he had no money. I stand by the decision, and I challenge anyone to go to his university and verify his academic record.”