WINDHOEK – Secretary of the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL), Dr Elijah Ngurare, has urged landless Namibians, including the youth, to apply for land on Friday at their respective local authorities, saying it is in accordance with the country’s laws.
Ngurare told New Era yesterday that during a meeting with Swapo secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba, land activists Job Amupanda, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and George Kambala were – prior to their suspensions from Swapo – advised to follow procedures and the relevant laws of the country in applying for land in local authorities.
The trio was suspended for what was perceived as ‘grabbing’ land in the affluent suburb of Kleine Kuppe.
“I have not the slightest doubt that our government and party leaders are fully aware and supportive of the need to address the land issue urgently,” Ngurare said.
Ngurare’s call is in sharp contrast to Mbumba’s stance on mass land applications planned for this Friday by the Affirmative Repositioning movement, led by Amupanda, Nauyoma and Kambala.
Mbumba said the planned mass action would put unnecessary pressure on local authorities.
Mbumba reportedly said that Amupanda was not elected as a leader by anyone and people should apply individually.
//Kharas Region’s Swapo coordinator, Mathew Mumbala caused a stir last weekend when he threatened to suspend anyone from the party’s regional leadership if they participate in the ‘mass land application campaign’.
The SPYL leadership in //Kharas hit back at Mumbala, saying his threats were cowardly and devoid of any legal basis.
The regional youth leadership called on the landless to go and apply for land without fear.
Mbumba was quoted in The Namibian yesterday as saying Amupanda is not an elected leader and should not be followed in his pursuit of land access for the masses.
Yesterday Amupanda said he and fellow land activists were at a point of no return in their plans for Friday’s nationwide land applications.
On Mumbala’s threats to suspend //Kharas regional leaders of the party, Amupanda said: “I am sure he made those remarks in order to get salary increment from his boss. He gave Karasburg to opposition because he wanted to get on television and newspapers. We remain unshaken!”
Amupanda is the former information secretary of the SPYL who, together with Nauyoma and Kambala, started the ‘Affirmative Repositioning’ campaign for mass action against the high cost of land and houses.