MAKANGA – The Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Doreen Sioka, says Swapo intends to win 90 parliamentary seats and leave only six to the opposition for the sake of democracy.
If Swapo wins 90 out of 96 parliamentary seats, that will translate into a 93 percent winning margin for the party in the National Assembly.
She said Swapo’s victory was already guaranteed.
She made the remarks during a fully packed Swapo campaign rally at Makanga about 80 kilometres West of Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi Region on Sunday.
Hundreds of people gathered to listen to the labour minister who once again reiterated her call for unity in the region.
“Some of you here were witness to the struggle launched by our forefathers such as (Judea) Lyaboloma, (Brendan) Simbwaye, (Benjamin) Bebi and others. Their aim was unity and development. Look at Makanga today, there’s development everywhere. Don’t be misled by these small parties. I urge you all to vote for Swapo on the 28th of November. Give the Swapo Party at least 90 seats, the six we can leave for the opposition,” she said to loud applause.
Sioka said Swapo was an inclusive party as can be attested by the transition of power that according to her encompasses all ethnic tribes.
“We have had two presidents already so far and this year the current presidential candidate is from another tribe. In Swapo we don’t look at tribal lines. Even here in Zambezi some of our members may stand in future. That is what Swapo stands for. We bring peace and development. Even investors are flocking here because of peace,” boasted Sioka.
Sioka also reacted to a campaign rally by the National Democratic Party that had taken place earlier during the day in the same area in which promises were made to free all high treason suspects in the protracted case on the attempted secession of the then Caprivi Region from the rest of Namibia.
“I understand promises were made to free high treason suspects. Colleagues, let’s not lie to ourselves. These are just liars masquerading as politicians. In 2009, I said that high treason suspects will be freed based on Namibia’s justice system. If there are those that have been wronged in the process, they would be compensated. In Namibia we have no capital punishment. Don’t let any party lie to you today,” said Sioka.
She also dismissed claims the Zambezi Region is not well represented in government, adding that Swapo does not regard tribal lines as a benchmark for positions because Namibia is a unitary state and representation from all tribes is clearly visible. “This is a failed and frustrated politician. We saw him a few weeks ago when their manifesto was launched and only three members were there even though they were at a sports field thinking that maybe people playing soccer would join in. We have five Swapo members from the Zambezi on the list. In addition those chosen by Swapo represent all Namibians without looking at their tribal affiliation,” said Sioka.
Sioka also took issue with people she says are hell-bent on opposing government at every given opportunity for no reason, citing those that still insist on calling the region Caprivi even though the name has been changed.
“NDP is still calling our region Caprivi; even this group of confused youths calling themselves concerned Caprivians. Consultations were done with all the traditional authorities and the name of the region is Zambezi because we draw our livelihood from the river,” said Sioka.
She once again condemned the Caprivi Concerned Group which has called for the boycott of elections because of what it says is the continued imprisonment of high treason suspects.
“We vote because we want to bring development. No one has the right to tell you not to vote. These confused people should not provoke government. They can’t speak for you now that we’re free. Where were they during the liberation struggle? If they want to form a political party, we’re free, they can do so.
They should come out of their shell,” stated Sioka.