Swapo supporters arrested for attacking IPC members in Outapi
Two members of the ruling party were arrested on Saturday and one charged with attempted murder for allegedly driving into an Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) gathering at Okalonda village near Outapi in the Omusati Region.
Police confirmed that both individuals had been arrested and while one - aged 73 - has been charged with attempted murder, the second suspect is yet to be formally charged.
Omusati police regional commander Commissioner Ismael Basson said the incident took place at around 11:30 near Marula Tree Station Bar.
Yesterday, Basson told Namibian Sun that the 73-year-old suspect drove a white Toyota bakkie in the direction of a group of people and caused them to flee. In the process, the victim sustained injuries to his left knee.
The victim is a 47-year-old Namibian man from Ondudu village in the Okalongo constituency, and the septuagenarian suspect is a Namibian man from Okafimbi village in the Outapi constituency.
No such thing
Asked what measures the Namibian Police had put in place to make sure that IPC and Swapo supporters did not clash as they both had rallies scheduled in the region over the weekend, Basson said only IPC had its event and the Swapo one was called off as the police advised the ruling party to opt for another date.
“Swapo wanted to also have their rally. They were advised not to have two rallies on one day and they accepted our advice. The police were informed of the IPC rally well on time and all necessary arrangements were made. The police were on the ground; however, this regrettably still happened,” he said.
He added that there’s no such thing as a ‘no-go area’ in this country. The Omusati Region has previously been described as such, specifically for opposition parties.
“In particular, anybody that makes him/herself guilty of any kind of political violence will face the full wrath of the law,” Basson said. “Political parties are requested to educate and inform their members to become politically mature, for they will be dealt with individually and not the party,” he said.
‘Barbaric, undemocratic’
IPC leader Panduleni Itula said they were not hosting a rally to address people, but rather had a march in the town.
“Swapo holds rallies. We only march. We did not address people. We assembled. We had a convoy and our usual march,” he said, adding that someone attacked the members after claiming ownership of a tree.
He added that IPC condemns what he termed ‘barbaric, undemocratic acts’, further noting that Swapo members claiming ownership of trees is a sign of ‘political madness’.
Itula said no tree or area in Namibia can be claimed by any person through the hoisting of a political flag.
“Such hoisting of political flags by Swapo whenever IPC exercises our constitutional right amounts to political intimidation and cannot be tolerated in a civilised country. The IPC notes that Swapo did not condemn such anti-democratic acts by its members and implicitly instigated it as a mode of political campaign,” Itula said.
He added that violent conduct is likely to tarnish Namibia’s otherwise “unique, great atmosphere of political tolerance”.
The opposition party leader commended the members of his party for not taking the law into their own hands.
“Political parties must caution their members to not interfere in the exercise of political rights of citizens,” Itula urged.
Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
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Police confirmed that both individuals had been arrested and while one - aged 73 - has been charged with attempted murder, the second suspect is yet to be formally charged.
Omusati police regional commander Commissioner Ismael Basson said the incident took place at around 11:30 near Marula Tree Station Bar.
Yesterday, Basson told Namibian Sun that the 73-year-old suspect drove a white Toyota bakkie in the direction of a group of people and caused them to flee. In the process, the victim sustained injuries to his left knee.
The victim is a 47-year-old Namibian man from Ondudu village in the Okalongo constituency, and the septuagenarian suspect is a Namibian man from Okafimbi village in the Outapi constituency.
No such thing
Asked what measures the Namibian Police had put in place to make sure that IPC and Swapo supporters did not clash as they both had rallies scheduled in the region over the weekend, Basson said only IPC had its event and the Swapo one was called off as the police advised the ruling party to opt for another date.
“Swapo wanted to also have their rally. They were advised not to have two rallies on one day and they accepted our advice. The police were informed of the IPC rally well on time and all necessary arrangements were made. The police were on the ground; however, this regrettably still happened,” he said.
He added that there’s no such thing as a ‘no-go area’ in this country. The Omusati Region has previously been described as such, specifically for opposition parties.
“In particular, anybody that makes him/herself guilty of any kind of political violence will face the full wrath of the law,” Basson said. “Political parties are requested to educate and inform their members to become politically mature, for they will be dealt with individually and not the party,” he said.
‘Barbaric, undemocratic’
IPC leader Panduleni Itula said they were not hosting a rally to address people, but rather had a march in the town.
“Swapo holds rallies. We only march. We did not address people. We assembled. We had a convoy and our usual march,” he said, adding that someone attacked the members after claiming ownership of a tree.
He added that IPC condemns what he termed ‘barbaric, undemocratic acts’, further noting that Swapo members claiming ownership of trees is a sign of ‘political madness’.
Itula said no tree or area in Namibia can be claimed by any person through the hoisting of a political flag.
“Such hoisting of political flags by Swapo whenever IPC exercises our constitutional right amounts to political intimidation and cannot be tolerated in a civilised country. The IPC notes that Swapo did not condemn such anti-democratic acts by its members and implicitly instigated it as a mode of political campaign,” Itula said.
He added that violent conduct is likely to tarnish Namibia’s otherwise “unique, great atmosphere of political tolerance”.
The opposition party leader commended the members of his party for not taking the law into their own hands.
“Political parties must caution their members to not interfere in the exercise of political rights of citizens,” Itula urged.
Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
– [email protected]
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