WINDHOEK – Swanu president Usutuaije Maamberua yesterday expressed dismay over an incident on Saturday when his party’s banner was damaged with a sharp object in Katutura, saying the move was “politically motivated”.
Speaking to New Era yesterday, he said the incident happened on Saturday near Pick n Pay. He also bemoaned the fact that police manning the Windhoek-Okahandja road block prevented a member of his party from putting up a Swanu poster at the roadblock.
A police officer at the roadblock allegedly prevented the Swanu national organiser, Unaani Kawami, from putting up a Swanu banner at the roadblock on Friday night at around 21h00.
“He struggled for more than two hours with the police at the roadblock until he called me to intervene. When I arrived we struggled for another hour or so to put up the banner at the roadblock until we threatened to call the media, that is when they gave in,” said Maamberua.
Narrating his experience with the police officer, Kawami said the police officer told him the Swapo banner stationed at the roadblock should remain there because Swapo is in government.
“The police officer said ‘But, that is government’ when asked why there is a Swapo banner,” related Maamberua.
A disappointed Maamberua said, “I feel very bad, that is discrimination against Swanu.”
He said both incidences were politically motivated and a “conspiracy against our socialist stance”.
There are certain individuals all out to discredit, instil fear and discourage Swanu from progressing, he added.
“We are determined. Nobody will kill Swanu’s spirit,” Maamberua said.
By Alvine Kapitako