Katima Mulilo
Chairperson of Zambezi regional youth forum John Ntemwa has condemned the president of the inconsequential political party National Democratic Party (NDP) Martin Lukato accusing him of being a serious national security threat.
This follows a story published by New Era in which Lukato crossed swords with Zambezi Regional Governor Lawrence Sampofu during an Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) meeting on preparations for the forthcoming regional elections.
Subsequent to that, Lukato claimed to have founded the Caprivi Concerned Group (CCG) that has been calling for an independent Caprivi and that has snubbed the December deadline set by governments of Namibia and Botswana for the return of Namibian refugees from Botswana. The same group called for the boycott of elections last year. The two latter matters did not sit well with the youth leader.
Speaking during the commemoration of regional youth week in Katima Mulilo last week, Ntemwa noted that statements that were made by Lukato clearly show that he is one of the leaders poised to bring instability in Namibia.
“This man has posed a very serious security threat to Namibia and the Zambezi Region in particular, especially his recent attacks on honourable governor Sampofu during the ECN meeting,” said Ntemwa.
“Pronouncing that he is the founder of the Caprivi Concerned group and letters written to UN is clear indication that he is the ring leader of people who bring instability in the region,” continued Ntemwa.
He further called on family members of Namibian refugees in Botswana to encourage them to come back home, adding that Namibia was peaceful as can be attested by some who have since returned and continue to live normal lives.
“Let me encourage family members whose relatives are still in Botswana to talk to them to return to their motherland, where they will live a normal life as peace is prevailing. Those who returned are living a normal life,” urged Ntemwa.
There are over 900 Namibians living in the Dukwi refugee camp in Botswana. They fled to Botswana following the failed attempt to secede the then Caprivi Region from Namibia in 1999.
Ntemwa also cautioned against land grabbing after over a 1 000 youths last week grabbed land in Macaravan East on the outskirts of Katima Mulilo.
“The problem of land is everywhere in Namibia. Those who applied have been acknowledged and those wanting to apply can still do so. People whose agenda is beyond land redistribution should not mislead us. We must learn to be patient,” advised Ntemwa.