WINDHOEK – Outspoken (Rtd) Major-General Charles Namoloh, the Minister of Regional and Local Government Housing and Rural Development yesterday made it clear in no uncertain terms that there will be no ‘no-go-areas’ during the period leading up to the national elections in November and that any registered political party should campaign freely in any part of Namibia.
Traditional leaders have a lot of influence when it comes to the political affiliation of their subjects and in past elections many political parties found themselves at the receiving end of the ire of traditional leaders and were ‘banned’ from holding political gatherings in certain areas.
“Any political party is free to hold their political rallies anywhere in Namibia, except in government offices. There are no restrictions, and if there were any, government would have pronounced itself on that,” said the decorated retired military man.
Namoloh was responding to questions pertaining to traditional leaders who are known to have prevented certain political parties from holding rallies in areas over which the chiefs have tribal jurisdiction in the past.
Currently there are 51 chiefs who are recognized by the government in Namibia, while several others are awaiting official recognition. “There are no ‘no-go areas’ and our traditional leaders know this very well, because there has been no instruction to them to deny political parties who want to hold their rallies in any area,” Namoloh said. “All the political parties registered with the Electoral Commission of Namibia can campaign anywhere, and if they encounter any problem they must take it up with the police,” he assured all political parties. “Our president,” Namoloh said, “has said repeatedly that political parties are free to campaign in any part of Namibia without fear of intimidation.” There have been numerous complaints in the past, especially from opposition parties, that certain traditional leaders prohibit any political activities by parties not supported by certain chiefs. Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders in Namibia, Gaob Immanuel ≠Nu-axa /Gaseb, warned chiefs who discriminate against some political parties to refrain from doing so.
“Elections are a national event, therefore chiefs should not interfere with election campaigns of parties, be it Swapo or any other party,” Gaseb emphasized. He advised parties to consult with traditional leaders in advance and to inform them about their intention to hold rallies in certain areas. “They (elections) are like development, it is each and every chief’s responsibility to allow development to come to his or her area,” said Gaseb. Gaseb said he plans to advise traditional leaders publicly on national radio and speak to chiefs in person and urge them not to interfere in the mobilization campaigns of any political party contesting any election in Namibia. “I want to tell them that they do not have the right to stop anyone from holding political rallies in their areas, regardless of political affiliation,” he said.
By Mathias Haufiku