2013-11-18Mathias Haufiku RUNDU – DTA’s acting regional coordinator for Kavango West, Boniface Kashera, has denied claims by Swapo’s councillor for Kahenge constituency in Kavango West, Joseph Sivaku Sikongo, that opposition political parties in the region fail to attend national events. “This is just a publicity stunt from Swapo since they want to lobby for votes,” Kashera said during an interview with New Era. “If you invite us to national events we will definitely turn up. Swapo cannot just expect us to attend gatherings to which we are not invited. We have received invites to attend state gatherings in the past and we gladly did that because the aspirations of government are shared by the opposition as well. Instead of accusing us of not attending national events, they must start inviting us so that we can attend. If you invite me and I do not attend then you can say I am sabotaging government activities, but if you do not invite me, how do you expect me to be there?” queried Kashera. Sikongo last week decried the absence of the opposition parties at national events while delivering the vote of thanks during the official inauguration of the Kahenge police barracks and fuel station in Kavango West. Sikongo also accused the opposition of constantly complaining about everything that government does without giving credit where it is due. “Where things are not going well we need to talk, if people are not receiving the services we should be vocal …. as the opposition we are the ears of government,” said Sikongo. “This is politics; he is just trying to lobby for votes. That is why we were not invited because Swapo wants to mislead the people by telling them that the opposition does not attend national events,” responded Kashera. “If government is doing well we will commend it. As in the case of the barracks and the fuel station that was inaugurated at Kahenge, that was a good move by government because our police officers now have proper accommodation and the fuel station will ensure a quicker response from the police in the area,” said Kashera. By Mathias Haufiku 2013-11-18Mathias Haufiku
