WINDHOEK – The police were called to rescue the Otjinene constituency councillor Adolphus Kangootui from a mob of angry residents, who wanted to beat him up, following his unruly behaviour at the 107th commemoration of the extermination order against the Ovaherero issued by the infamous German commander Lothar von Trotha, at Ozombuzombindimba on Saturday afternoon.
According to the Regional Crime Investigations Coordinator of the Omaheke Region Chris Kalimbula chaos erupted at the event and police had to go and rescue Kangootui. It is alleged that the councillor was under the influence of alcohol and behaved in a violent manner all the while complaining why government was not developing the site. He then took a brick and smashed the door of one of the structures that have been put up to keep relics related to the atrocities that were committed against the Herero people. The door was damaged, which angered people, who attended the event. The councillor avoided a whipping thanks to the timely arrival of the police at the scene in a short time.
“The mood was not good and it was feared that the community might injure or attack their councillor,” Kalimbula said. The councillor was taken to the Otjinene Police Station where he was kept for two hours until tempers settled down. Kalimbula says yesterday morning the police went to see Chief Kuaima Riruako who was also present when the incident took place, to ask if a case should be opened against Kangotuutui. Riruako however says they will not open a police case, but will deal with him through the traditional court since the property that was destroyed is supervised by the traditional authority. Both Kangootui and Riruako could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press. Kangootui is a Nudo politician who was elected the councillor of the Otjinene constituency in 2011.
By Tonateni Shidhudhu