WINDHOEK – The United Peoples Movement (UPM) has strongly condemned the alleged land grabbing at Groot-Aub.
In a speech read recently at Groot Aub, Jan van Wyk, the UPM national chairperson said land grabbing continued unabated at Groot Aub with the alleged support of the regional councillor, which shows he and others have the “support of the Swapo government”.
He said Groot Aub has become a haven for other people except those that grew up there. He said though UPM does not make any promises, he urged the residents to vote for UPM for meanigful change.
“Just complaining will not bring change. We will have to do something about our situation in Groot Aub. You need a political solution for the problems you face,” Van Wyk said to loud cheers from the 60 people who attended the meeting.
He told the gathering UPM as a party has nothing to promise except that it gives the electorate an opportunity to elect leaders who care for the people.
“Leaders under the flag of the UPM are servants of the people and not their bosses as is currently the case with other parties,” said the UPM leader.
He said UPM is the only party that will allow the original inhabitants of the sleepy village close to Windhoek the opportunity to “taste the fruits of independence”.
He said the village daily experiences an influx of people from other regions without any plans by government to attend to the water crisis at the village.
“The boreholes around here were drilled before independence,” he said and asked if the gathering still believed Swapo still cared for the electorate.
“The little development you see in Groot Aub was brought about by the fear that Swapo has for UPM,” he stated.
He claimed developments in other southern towns the past three years came through pressure from the UPM.
He said the claim by other parties to be the next government should not be believed as there is no party that can beat Swapo right now as it uses state resources to campaign in elections.
According to Van Wyk the claims by Swapo that it pays for the use of the jet and helicopters are not substantiated as there is no proof of such payments.
He said he has noted that Swapo is conducting counter-meetings at places visited by the UPM, but promised the UPM would continue the fight with the little resources it has and give the ruling party something to think about.
He said UPM would give the young people of Groot Aub and the entire country a voice to speak with and he encouraged the gathering to avail themselves, work hard and to use their opportunities to ensure a better future for all Namibians.
He urged the electorate to attend voter education sessions so that they can acquaint themselves with EVMs as he believes the machines will prevent electoral fraud.