By Mathias Haufiku

WINDHOEK – The ruling party will only pay N$30 000 for prime property in Swakopmund valued at N$2.6 million.

In a bid to empower political parties, the Swakopmund Municipality says it has revised its land policies to allow political parties registered with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to purchase land at the coastal town at  “reasonable prices”.

The Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, (Rtd) Major General Charles Namoloh revealed this in the National Assembly on Thursday when responding to questions from Anton von Wietersheim of the Rally for Democracy and Progress.

Von Wietersheim asked Namoloh whether he was aware that the Swakopmund Municipality was seeking his approval to alienate prime property at the town measuring 4 463 square metres worth N$2.6 million, which Swapo has been using, for only N$30 000.

Von Wietersheim further accused the Swakopmund Town Council of amending local authority regulations to facilitate the sale to Swapo Party.

In his response, Namoloh confirmed he received the request, adding that the Swakopmund Town Council stated that it had revised its property policy to sell land to political parties registered with the ECN to purchase property at “reasonable prices”.

He did not say whether he approved or declined the request. Efforts to get hold of Namoloh were in vain as his mobile phone went unanswered.

Namoloh said the policy was not only applicable to Swapo, but to all parties registered with the ECN.

“If RDP, DTA and so forth applies for a piece of land in Swakopmund they will be treated the same,” he said.

The RDP parliamentarian accused the Swapo-dominated municipality of handing the prime property over to Swapo on a silver platter at the expense of suffering residents.

“To say that Swapo is attempting to get this property on a silver platter at the expense of the majority of suffering residents is unacceptable,” responded Namoloh.

Namoloh also said most residents of the DRC informal settlement are members of the ruling party and not only the opposition.

“Swapo’s agenda is to foster development, inclusive of RDP members, as long as they are in the jurisdiction of the government of the ruling Swapo Party,” he said.