Swapo urged to apologise to dungeon victims
Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah has urged Swapo to publically apologise to the Lubango dungeons' victims, adding the ruling party should not continue to hide behind so-called blanket amnesty.
Kamwanyah said as long as Swapo refuses to confront the “explosive and sensitive” issue, it will remain in the public domain. “The issue will not die if this is the approach Swapo is taking. We still have survivors of the Lubango dungeons (among us) and they will keep telling their stories and it will remain in the public domain; some have even written books,” Kamwanyah said.
“Swapo is trying to make it seem that the Lubango dungeons debate is a national issue, which is not the case; it was actions taken by Swapo against its own members.”
Kamwanyah was reacting to statements made by President Hage Geingob over the weekend, in which he labelled former dungeon detainees, who are speaking out, as frustrated and failed politicians.
Oiva Angula recently released his tell-all book titled 'Swapo Captive - A Comrade's Experience of Betrayal and Torture', in which he speaks about his four-and-a-half-year imprisonment in the infamous Lubango dungeons, during which he was repeatedly tortured.
Speaking during the opening of a Swapo Central Committee meeting at Rundu in the Kavango East Region on Saturday, Geingob singled out those opening the Lubango dungeons' Pandora's Box and those using the land issue for personal gain.
Geingob said these failed politicians will do whatever it takes to play with people's emotions. He warned this could hold serious consequences for Namibia, including civil war, if it is not addressed.
“Frustrated politicians and failed politicians, who look for anything to grab, whip up the emotions of the people. There are people who suffered genocides, which is true, but then the politician, the failed politician will use that.”
During his Heroes' Day speech in Nkurenkuru on Sunday, the head of state again warned those who are revisiting the past to refrain from such practices, as this could lead to devastating consequences.
“I must caution, there are those that are intent on opening old wounds. They shall open a Pandora's Box, notwithstanding the fact that many collaborators and perpetrators of gross crimes against the people of Namibia are still here,” Geingob said.
He said people should not forget about the blanket amnesty that was granted to those who fought on both sides.
“Those who had collaborated with the enemy, and were trying to stop our march towards independence, were pardoned accordingly and granted blanket amnesty, and were allowed to participate in the United Nations-supervised democratic elections of 1989,” Geingob said.
However, Kamwanyah said Geingob's statements do not make the situation better, and in fact makes it worse.
Kamwanyah said the only way for Swapo to address the issue is by apologising to the Lubango victims.
“Swapo must just confront the issue and apologise. They should also not expect the victims to forgive them just like, because we all know when you ask for forgiveness it is the personal decision of the person you are asking forgiveness from (to forgive or not).”
Kamwanyah said Geingob is in a better position to make amends, as he was voted in as party president because of the expectation people had that he would lead the party to address the issues it faces.
He urged Geingob to desist from his current script, which was following in the footsteps of his predecessors, who did not address the issue.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Kamwanyah said as long as Swapo refuses to confront the “explosive and sensitive” issue, it will remain in the public domain. “The issue will not die if this is the approach Swapo is taking. We still have survivors of the Lubango dungeons (among us) and they will keep telling their stories and it will remain in the public domain; some have even written books,” Kamwanyah said.
“Swapo is trying to make it seem that the Lubango dungeons debate is a national issue, which is not the case; it was actions taken by Swapo against its own members.”
Kamwanyah was reacting to statements made by President Hage Geingob over the weekend, in which he labelled former dungeon detainees, who are speaking out, as frustrated and failed politicians.
Oiva Angula recently released his tell-all book titled 'Swapo Captive - A Comrade's Experience of Betrayal and Torture', in which he speaks about his four-and-a-half-year imprisonment in the infamous Lubango dungeons, during which he was repeatedly tortured.
Speaking during the opening of a Swapo Central Committee meeting at Rundu in the Kavango East Region on Saturday, Geingob singled out those opening the Lubango dungeons' Pandora's Box and those using the land issue for personal gain.
Geingob said these failed politicians will do whatever it takes to play with people's emotions. He warned this could hold serious consequences for Namibia, including civil war, if it is not addressed.
“Frustrated politicians and failed politicians, who look for anything to grab, whip up the emotions of the people. There are people who suffered genocides, which is true, but then the politician, the failed politician will use that.”
During his Heroes' Day speech in Nkurenkuru on Sunday, the head of state again warned those who are revisiting the past to refrain from such practices, as this could lead to devastating consequences.
“I must caution, there are those that are intent on opening old wounds. They shall open a Pandora's Box, notwithstanding the fact that many collaborators and perpetrators of gross crimes against the people of Namibia are still here,” Geingob said.
He said people should not forget about the blanket amnesty that was granted to those who fought on both sides.
“Those who had collaborated with the enemy, and were trying to stop our march towards independence, were pardoned accordingly and granted blanket amnesty, and were allowed to participate in the United Nations-supervised democratic elections of 1989,” Geingob said.
However, Kamwanyah said Geingob's statements do not make the situation better, and in fact makes it worse.
Kamwanyah said the only way for Swapo to address the issue is by apologising to the Lubango victims.
“Swapo must just confront the issue and apologise. They should also not expect the victims to forgive them just like, because we all know when you ask for forgiveness it is the personal decision of the person you are asking forgiveness from (to forgive or not).”
Kamwanyah said Geingob is in a better position to make amends, as he was voted in as party president because of the expectation people had that he would lead the party to address the issues it faces.
He urged Geingob to desist from his current script, which was following in the footsteps of his predecessors, who did not address the issue.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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