The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) yesterday threatened to report President Hage Geingob to the Ombudsman for remarks uttered by the head of state at the weekend.
“The PDM is condemning, in the strongest most unequivocal terms, the remarks made by the President against white voters in particular, and white Namibians as general at the launch of the Swapo Party election campaign on Saturday, 17 October 2020,” read a statement issued by the party’s vice president Jennifer van der Heever.
During the Swapo gathering, Geingob reportedly said he had noted with concern a number of white voters registering in big numbers and that they have seemingly declared war against Swapo.
According to the PDM, the remarks by the head of state amounts to intimidation.
“The remarks made by the President of the country are blatantly threatening, intimidating and indeed an attempt at blackmail against white voters and do not foster the notion of nation-building. In fact, such comments are so dangerous that they directly threaten the very fabric of the Namibian society. President Geingob clearly suggested that white Namibians are not at liberty to exercise their own political choices and participate in political activity, both of which freedoms are enshrined and protected in the Namibian constitution,” the party said.
It continued: “The freedom to participate without fear or favour in political activity in Namibia is a fundamental human right protected under Article 17 of the Namibian constitution. Every Namibian over the age of 18 has the right to vote for any political party or individual of their choice. White people, just like any other Namibian, have that very same choice and freedom, and are not under any obligation to vote for the SWAPO Party. The president’s remarks are the result of a state of panic that is clearly overwhelming the party”.
The party further stated Geingob was directly threatening the human rights of white Namibians and their place within society.
“Accordingly, the PDM will lodge a strongly-worded complaint with the Ombudsman against the President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr Hage Godfried Geingob, for his threatening and intimidating comments against white Namibians. His hate speech directly puts in jeopardy the rights of white Namibians as enshrined in Article 17 of the Namibian constitution and should be investigated by the Ombudsman.”