…parties praise electorate
WINDHOEK – The Namibian police have vowed not to tolerate any form of political violence as the country gear up for political campaigns and eventually the elections in November this year.
The comments from the police come in the wake of media reports of renewed acrimony between the ruling Swapo Party and Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) supporters over the mounting of party flags on trees in the northern regions. “We will not tolerate any politically motivated violence. All political parties should advice their supporters to conduct themselves in a proper manner, because the police will not condone any bad behaviour,” said police Inspector General, Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, adding that all 14 regional commanders have been instructed to inform political leaders in the regions that the police will not tolerate any behaviour that does not promote an atmosphere of peace. Political party chiefs who spoke to New Era this week promised to ensure that their supporters conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during this election year. They all agreed that Namibians are peaceful people, as has been demonstrated in the past, and do not wish such an exemplary past to be tarnished. “I am once more urging our supporters to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, that is why you see that no one is showing up at registration points with party colours,” said Swapo Party Secretary General Nangolo Mbumba. “We will not fight over trees. If someone puts up their flags on a specific tree, we will put ours on another tree.” Mbumba also cited the peaceful temperament of Namibians, saying it would go a long way towards ensuring peaceful elections. “The old people and those who were old enough to experience the war do not want to hear any disturbances, they want peace and we must maintain it.”
Nudo’s Deputy Secretary General, Vetaruhe Kandorozu, suggested to the Electoral Commission of Namibia to enforce the code of conduct for political parties more stringently and to introduce punitive measures for those parties that violate the code. “If any supporter of a specific party behaves unethically that party must be fined, and if it happens repeatedly then drastic measures such as banning that party from contesting elections should be taken,” said Kandorozu. “Namibians are generally [pacific] by nature. Apart from a few people who try to be funny now and then, we are a peaceful and democratic nation with a great deal of tolerance towards each other,” he said. Kandorozu also appealed to all traditional leaders to be impartial by allowing all political parties who wish to hold rallies in their areas to do so without any hindrance or intimidation. “We are not saying that our traditional chiefs should not belong to a political party, but they must be tolerant towards all parties. Their subjects should not be fearful to report any incidences of intimidation, because they are afraid the traditional leader will not take action because he belongs to the party that intimidated him or her,” Kandorozu said.
DTA Secretary of Finance and party spokesman Nico Smit, also denounced political violence in all its manifestations. “Democracy is about negotiations and not war,” and as such, “elections and all other state activities must take place in a peaceful environment. Therefore, I am calling on all voters to refrain from any intimidation of violence.” Smit also described Namibians across the board as very peaceful and disciplined people. “I want to commend our people for their good behaviour and I am urging them to keep up that spirit.” He further said DTA members who encounter intimidation from other political party members should report such incidents to the party leadership. “We have a code of conduct in this country. If you do not want to attend a specific rally then stay home, and if you want to attend a rally then you must do so in a peaceful manner. I urge DTA members not to intimidate opponents or indulge in name calling practices,” said Smit.
Ndeutunga said the police do not want to see people preventing others from exercising their democratic right to vote. “By now democracy has matured in Namibia, therefore people should behave themselves during the elections and vote peacefully. All political campaigns should take place in a peaceful manner. This year we are ready to ensure violence-free elections and we will not hesitate to enforce the law,” he warned.
By Mathias Haufiku