Nahas condemns ‘rented crowds’ at political rallies
Former prime minister and Swapo stalwart Nahas Angula has spoken out against ferrying citizens from town to town for political rallies, describing the trend as ‘risky’.
He called for those forming part of ‘rented crowds’ to at least sign indemnity forms when they board buses and cars funded by political parties.
Angula made the remarks yesterday in response to questions about political parties that book vehicles to ferry citizens from town to town to create the impression that their rallies are well-attended.
Two weeks ago, Namibian Sun met a young woman from Okatope in the Oshikoto Region who said she was waiting for a bus that will take her and others to a political rally in Oranjemund. According to Angula, such scenarios must be avoided.
Admitting that it is a tactic that has been used by parties for decades and that politics is a numbers game, he said it is wrong if no insurance is guaranteed should something fateful happen.
Serious risk
“It's a serious risk because people don't sign [indemnity forms],” Angula said. “One day if fate befalls them and the bus overturns, Swapo will be in trouble.”
“If people are [ferried] such long distances, do you have insurance? It will be a serious liability. I totally discourage that. If something happens, you [the party] take the responsibility. Especially if you ferry people in buses and other kinds of things and you don't have your insurance. Make sure that if something happens, the insurance will pay,” he urged.
Angula added that political parties have turned the country’s political landscape into a comedy show.
He stressed that freebies such as food, t-shirts and entertainment should not be persuading factors to the electorate to vote for a political party, and that ideologies and manifestos should take centre stage instead.
“People go there for music, entertainment,” the former defence minister said. “You should not see a crowd and conclude that all those people are going to vote for you. They go there for music and free things. If you give a free t-shirt, it is fine for them. The whole thing has become a comedy. People tell themselves that if there's food there, let's go eat. If there is something to be given [for] free, like transport, let's go. That is what is drawing people to rallies.”
Political maturity
Meanwhile, Angula said he is proud of how Namibians are conducting themselves during the current campaign period, adding that since the country attained independence, there have been little to no cases of political violence.
This he attributed to the dominance of the ruling party, saying it was always certain that Swapo would win elections. “I'm not quite sure whether that is a Namibian characteristic or whether it is just a question of one dominant party,” he said.
“I would think that since Swapo has been a dominant party and it has been sure of itself, perhaps there was no need for other things.”
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He called for those forming part of ‘rented crowds’ to at least sign indemnity forms when they board buses and cars funded by political parties.
Angula made the remarks yesterday in response to questions about political parties that book vehicles to ferry citizens from town to town to create the impression that their rallies are well-attended.
Two weeks ago, Namibian Sun met a young woman from Okatope in the Oshikoto Region who said she was waiting for a bus that will take her and others to a political rally in Oranjemund. According to Angula, such scenarios must be avoided.
Admitting that it is a tactic that has been used by parties for decades and that politics is a numbers game, he said it is wrong if no insurance is guaranteed should something fateful happen.
Serious risk
“It's a serious risk because people don't sign [indemnity forms],” Angula said. “One day if fate befalls them and the bus overturns, Swapo will be in trouble.”
“If people are [ferried] such long distances, do you have insurance? It will be a serious liability. I totally discourage that. If something happens, you [the party] take the responsibility. Especially if you ferry people in buses and other kinds of things and you don't have your insurance. Make sure that if something happens, the insurance will pay,” he urged.
Angula added that political parties have turned the country’s political landscape into a comedy show.
He stressed that freebies such as food, t-shirts and entertainment should not be persuading factors to the electorate to vote for a political party, and that ideologies and manifestos should take centre stage instead.
“People go there for music, entertainment,” the former defence minister said. “You should not see a crowd and conclude that all those people are going to vote for you. They go there for music and free things. If you give a free t-shirt, it is fine for them. The whole thing has become a comedy. People tell themselves that if there's food there, let's go eat. If there is something to be given [for] free, like transport, let's go. That is what is drawing people to rallies.”
Political maturity
Meanwhile, Angula said he is proud of how Namibians are conducting themselves during the current campaign period, adding that since the country attained independence, there have been little to no cases of political violence.
This he attributed to the dominance of the ruling party, saying it was always certain that Swapo would win elections. “I'm not quite sure whether that is a Namibian characteristic or whether it is just a question of one dominant party,” he said.
“I would think that since Swapo has been a dominant party and it has been sure of itself, perhaps there was no need for other things.”
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