Windhoek
Omaheke Governor Festus Ueitele recently said some members of the Ovaherero community are backstabbers and practice double standards and do not seem to respect other tribes.
These remarks landed the politician in the eye of a political storm within the Ovaherero community, as it appears his remarks have now pitted other ethnic groups against Ovaherero-speaking people.
In a widely circulated audio recording, a copy of which New Era obtained, Ueitele is heard relating his views to the Bakgalagadi ba Namibia Chief Hubert Ditsabue and his daughter, Josepha Ditsabue, the treasurer of the Swapo Party Women’s Council (SPWC).
“I don’t want to be tribal, but what I can tell you is that Hereros are the sort of people who do not respect other tribes. Hereros are backstabbers,” Ueitele is heard telling Hubert and Josepha.
“You should be careful with Hereros. These are the type of people who will become your friends only when they want something from you,” he further opined.
According to the governor, there has been a campaign by the Ovaherero in that region to remove non-Otjiherero-speaking people in key positions in the region.
“Since you know that the governor is Owambo, the chief regional officer is Owambo… these people (Ovaherero) are apparently mobilising others to get rid of us,” he is heard saying. “Be very careful with Hereros,” he warned.
“You are not the first chief I am speaking to. I have also briefed Chief Tjinaani Maharero. I don’t care if he is a Herero, but I briefed him,” he said.
He alleged that these campaigns are driven by Okorukambe Swapo District Treasurer Frans Murangi, Epukiro Constituency Councillor Cornelius Kanguatjivi and former Epukiro Constituency Councillor, Brave Tjizera.
He also claimed the three are “campaigning” for the next presidential elections for a candidate other than the incumbent.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Ueitele said he is aware of the recording, but defended his recorded remarks, saying he meant only to sensitise Chief Ditsabue to the “tribal campaigns” being waged by a group of regional Swapo leaders.
“How can I be tribal[ist] if I am married to a Herero women? My kids are Herero. So how? Tell me. My intention was to sensitise the chief about what is happening in the region,” he said.
“Listen to the recording carefully. What I said is the chief should be careful of [Frans] Murangi, [Brave] Tjizera and [Cornelius] Kanguatjivi. I told the chief that he should be careful of those three,” he said, adding that his remarks are being wrongly interpreted.
He said he had visited many traditional leaders to also brief them about his concerns regarding the divisive trio.
“Listen, I was born in Omaheke, I went to school in Omaheke. If there is any region I know best it is the Omaheke Region. Who are they to decide that if I am an Aawambo I don’t belong here?” he said.
“I’m the representative of the president (Hage Geingob) in the region, so it’s very important that I engage or sensitise leaders about what is happening in the region,” he said.
Kanguatjivi yesterday denied the allegations about him. He said if there is anyone who is a tribalist, it is Ueitele: “How can he label me as tribal? Right now they are campaigning for Bianca Van Wyk for a position in the upcoming Swapo Omaheke Women’s Council,” he said.
Murangi also denied the allegations against him. “We supported Ueitele to become the Swapo regional coordinator, how are we tribal?” he asked. “We supported Ueitele when he was appointed governor,” he said.
“Ueitele is in the process of creating civil war and this can lead other tribes to hate the OvaHerero,” he remarked.
“Let me tell you, all this is because there are positions in the Swapo Women’s League up for grabs and there is a lady, called Bianca van Wyk, who is the Swapo Party Women’s Council regional secretary. Ueitele wants the lady out and we’re supporting her. This is how it started,” he said.
“Ueitele is causing division and he must be called to order,” he said, adding that they are considering legal action. Tjizera could not be reached for comment yesterday.
There have been regular reports of tribal friction in the region. Earlier this year Swapo district coordinator for Otjinene Assaria Tjingaete wrote to the party’s regional coordinator for Omaheke Region, Kejamuina Mungendje, and Swapo secretary general Nangolo Mbumba regarding the issue. In the letters Tjingaete accused certain Swapo members, including the district coordinator, of promoting factionalism, tribalism, ethnic strife, nepotism, racism, sexism, chauvinism, regionalism and a personality cult.
In the letter to Mbumba, dated April 4 2016, Tjingaete said “intentional misinterpretation, misinforming, misleading, confusion and misguiding of Swapo Party members and the public at large to rally behind and support the advancement of the aforementioned comrade and, therefore, instigating Ovaherero people against other tribes.”
New Era understands there are some in the region who are aggrieved that non-Otjiherero speaking people currently occupy key positions, such as that of regional governor, chief regional officer and other high-ranking positions in Gobabis Municipality.