By Eveline de Klerk
WALVIS BAY – The Erongo Police regional commander, Commissioner Samuel //Hoebeb, has warned that political violence during rallies for the presidential and National Assembly elections will not be tolerated.
During a consultative meeting held with representatives of various political parties at the coast, //Hoebeb said he would not allow supporters of rival parties to violently confront each other, as has become a norm in some parts of the country in recent years.
“We live in a democratic country and everyone has a right to campaign freely in a responsible manner. I will not allow political parties to chase each other around during rallies,” he noted.
According to //Hoebeb, the regional representatives and Nampol also deliberated on the do’s and don’ts that parties should adhere to when conducting campaigns.
“We want to create a peaceful environment for all political parties to conduct their campaigns freely and fairly. They should not be at each other’s throats like in the other regions,” said the regional commander.
He said the police also discussed the arrangements for rallies, street processions and marches where the police would be needed.
“We also want to avoid rallies being conducted at the same venue at the same time, that is why political parties must inform the police well in advance to avoid such issues,” //Hoebeb said.
“We just wanted to iron out minor logistics with the parties to make sure that the build-up to the elections in November is peaceful so that each member of our society has the right to attend whatever rally or campaign they want to without fear,” reiterated //Hoebeb.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba has also appealed to all Namibians to refrain from acts of political violence and intimidation and rather to use persuation to woo voters.
Namibians will be going to the polls in November to cast their votes for presidential and local authority elections, slated for November.