KARIBIB – Political parties should not be in business or apply for government tenders as this would deprive ordinary Namibians and their members of prospective business opportunities that will create jobs on a broader spectrum rather than for a selective group only.
This is according to the deputy vice-president of the United Democratic Front of Namibia (UDF), Dudu Murorua.
Murorua made the remarks during the launch of the party’s manifesto and electoral college that was held on Saturday at Karibib.
The UDF vice-president says political parties must consider abolishing such action, which will definitely decrease tender corruption and contribute to the social advancement of many ordinary Namibians, especially the youth.
“Political parties are there to represent their members and the interest of the entire Namibia. They are not established to conduct business but to look at the interest of those they represent,” the veteran UDF politician said.
“What if their own members are also in business and apply for the same tenders and only those in strategic positions allocate these tenders to them while their own members and others are at the receiving end?”
He said it is off beam to have a business interest as a political party while at the same time advocating for democracy, economic empowerment and equal distribution of wealth, but not paving the way for others.
“I understand that political parties also need to generate money, but allocating tenders to ourselves is unethical and disadvantages already marginalised Namibians,” said Murorua.
Murorua also voiced his concern over tenders awarded to foreign companies, especially Chinese companies. He then said his party, the UDF “is not here to represent the interest of foreigners but that of Namibians”.
“It is unfair that foreigners are awarded tenders on top of Namibians. We should consider Namibians first. How can we giver tenders away while we have such a high unemployment rate?”
Mururoa is second on the UDF party list that was compiled over the weekend at the electoral college held over the weekend when the party also launched its 16-page manifesto under the theme, “Now is the time for participatory transparent socio-economic empowerment for all.”