Lahja Nashuuta
As the Regional Councils and Local Authority elections draw closer, so does the battle for dominance in Kunene grow, with both Swapo and the United Democratic Front recently trading blows.
Recently, Swapo member Vipuakuje Muharukua, who is also the region’s governor, accused the UDF, which alongside the Popular Democratic Movement dominates the Kunene Regional Council, of using drought relief food to win over residents’ hearts for political expedience.
Muharukua issued a stern warning against the politicisation of drought relief efforts, calling for fair and equal distribution of food aid to all affected communities regardless of political affiliation.
He was reacting to a photo showing an alleged UDF member distributing drought relief items in party regalia in the Sesfontein area recently.
“I am disappointed to learn that some civil servants in local authorities are using drought relief aid as a campaign tool to solicit votes. Drought aid is meant for every affected Namibian and must never be misused for political gain,” Muharukua said.
According to the governor, some councillors are misleading communities by claiming that drought relief food is provided by their political parties rather than as a government initiative aimed at alleviating hunger.
“There are even reports that councillors are directly coercing people to align with certain political parties before they can be registered for drought aid. That is unacceptable,” he stated.
Muharukua further alleged that food registration and distribution processes have been manipulated to create artificial scarcity.
“In some cases, food items have been stockpiled at private farms and homes.
These are then sold to charcoal workers or selectively distributed to members of the ruling political faction in that area,” the former parliamentarian said.
He also accused certain councillors of deliberately delaying the distribution of food aid despite full warehouses to create public resentment toward the government and Swapo.
“In the Sesfontein constituency, we are informed that food distribution was deliberately withheld for months, leaving people starving. Then, just three weeks before the elections, the UDF delivered food to the community in an apparent attempt to appear as saviours.
“These practices amount to the weaponisation of drought relief aid. This aid is meant to ease suffering, not to be used as a political tool. I will not tolerate this indiscriminate and cruel exploitation of our people. Not under my watch,” he said.
Not true
The UDF did not hold any punches and has since distanced itself from the incident.
Former Sesfontein constituency councillor, UDF president, and MP Hendrik Gaobaeb dismissed allegations that they have politicised drought relief distribution in Kunene, calling the claims baseless and politically motivated.
Gaobaeb defended that the current Sesfontein constituency councillor, who is accused of weaponising the drought relief, previously served in a junior role as an administrative officer and had no authority or access to the drought relief supply system.
“He was never in a position to manage or distribute drought food. Those responsibilities fall under the chief administrative officer and the control administrative officer. He [Muharukua] doesn’t understand the system,” Gaobaeb said.
Seemingly educating the new governor, Gaobaeb said drought food is distributed based on household numbers per constituency, using a structured system overseen by both the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the regional council.
“So, who exactly is being left out? Food is allocated fairly. There’s no evidence of what he’s accusing us of. He’s new to politics and to the party and is trying to gain popularity by making noise,” the seasoned politician said.
As the former chairperson of the Kunene Regional Emergency Management Unit, Gaobaeb said he never encountered any misuse of drought food during his tenure.
“He should engage the relevant offices, like the chairperson of the regional council, to understand the systems before making wild claims. Politicking with food aid is not something we do,” he said.
Alcohol politics
In a further counteraccusation, Gaobaeb claimed that Muharukua previously used alcohol to influence voters.
“When he was still in Kamanjab, at Tokolo Lodge, he bought liquor for voters. How can you preach against substance abuse after buying alcohol to win votes? That’s hypocrisy,” he said.
Gaobaeb also refuted claims of food rotting in warehouses due to political manipulation. “There was an incident of spoiled food, yes, but that was caused by army trucks overturning during delivery. It had nothing to do with councillors or elections,” he said.
“I went to the warehouses myself. The food was not rotting due to delays or politics. Let’s not play with people’s hunger. As leaders, we must serve all communities, regardless of political colours,” said Gaobaeb.
Photo: Heather Erdmann