A veteran of the national liberation struggle, Jona Amunyela, was buried at Odibo in the Ohangwena Region on Friday.

He died on December 13th, at the age of 66.

Amunyela joined the Swapo Party in 1970 and went into exile four years later.

He was trained in infantry at Kasapa in Angola, and in 1976 he was deployed to the North Western Front.

The same year, he went to Cassinga and Lubango, respectively, where they established the Tobias Hainyeko Training Centre.

Operating in and outside the country, in 1978 they engaged in a fire exchange with the South African soldiers at Omufitu Weelo in the area of Ombalantu, where he was injured.

He also carried out a successful attack on the sector-ten military base at Oshakati.

In his message of condolence delivered on his behalf, President Hage Geingob described the late Amuneya, to whom he conferred an official funeral, as a distinguished son of the soil and a valiant fighter.

"The life of Comrade Amunyela was a life defined by patriotism, bravery, and sacrifice. It was a life punctuated by the principles of selflessness and loyalty.".

From 1987 to 1989, he served as a post-commander for PLAN intelligence, reconnaissance, and military combat.

In 1990, he was inducted into the NDF, where he served in various capacities.

In 2005, he was awarded the grand commander of the Order of Namibia 1st Class by Founding President Sam Nujoma in recognition for his contribution to Namibia's independence, defence, and post-independence.