Police to deal with parties fighting over trees
Namibian Police chief Joseph Shikongo said the force will not tolerate childish behaviour from political parties fighting over trees on which to hoist flags, and other confrontations that could cause a bloodbath ahead of the November elections.
He also told political leaders to nurture a spirit of tolerance among their supporters, just like how the politicians have been friendly among themselves at their level.
“Go to parliament and see. You would find politicians from different political parties drinking tea together during breaks, yet their supporters don’t want to see eye to eye with their opponents. They have a responsibility to inculcate the same spirit among their supporters,” he told Namibian Sun yesterday.
In July, two Swapo members were arrested for allegedly assaulting Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) members in the Omusati Region. One of the suspects was charged with attempted murder for allegedly driving into an IPC gathering at Okalonda village near Outapi.
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, a man sustained injuries to his left knee.
‘No-go region’
At a meeting with political parties last week, Shikongo cited the Omusati incident as the kind he will not tolerate.
“We will swiftly deal with anyone engaging in any such provocations, just like we dealt with those Omusati residents,” he said.
For years, Omusati has been infamously known as a ‘no-go region’ for opposition parties, with this inflammatory classification blamed for the 2009 clashes between Rally for Democracy (RDP) and Swapo supporters in Outapi during that year’s election campaigning.
RDP supporters sustained injuries during the confrontations, during which arrows were shot into a crowd.
According to Shikongo, resources have been made available to ensure the police are ready to defend peace and stability before, during and after the watershed 27 November election, during which a new president for Namibia will be elected.
He said 6 000 officers will be deployed to the elections alone. “We are a professional force and the only time our members practice political activity is on the day of voting when they cast their vote. After that, they must display full impartiality and we expect exactly this kind of behaviour in the build-up to the election and after.”
The police chief added: “Our recent meeting with political leaders was very cordial. After the meeting, I hosted them for lunch, and everyone was on the same page. I appreciate their commitment to ensuring that this process goes smoothly for the sake of our democracy”.
He also told political leaders to nurture a spirit of tolerance among their supporters, just like how the politicians have been friendly among themselves at their level.
“Go to parliament and see. You would find politicians from different political parties drinking tea together during breaks, yet their supporters don’t want to see eye to eye with their opponents. They have a responsibility to inculcate the same spirit among their supporters,” he told Namibian Sun yesterday.
In July, two Swapo members were arrested for allegedly assaulting Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) members in the Omusati Region. One of the suspects was charged with attempted murder for allegedly driving into an IPC gathering at Okalonda village near Outapi.
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, a man sustained injuries to his left knee.
‘No-go region’
At a meeting with political parties last week, Shikongo cited the Omusati incident as the kind he will not tolerate.
“We will swiftly deal with anyone engaging in any such provocations, just like we dealt with those Omusati residents,” he said.
For years, Omusati has been infamously known as a ‘no-go region’ for opposition parties, with this inflammatory classification blamed for the 2009 clashes between Rally for Democracy (RDP) and Swapo supporters in Outapi during that year’s election campaigning.
RDP supporters sustained injuries during the confrontations, during which arrows were shot into a crowd.
According to Shikongo, resources have been made available to ensure the police are ready to defend peace and stability before, during and after the watershed 27 November election, during which a new president for Namibia will be elected.
He said 6 000 officers will be deployed to the elections alone. “We are a professional force and the only time our members practice political activity is on the day of voting when they cast their vote. After that, they must display full impartiality and we expect exactly this kind of behaviour in the build-up to the election and after.”
The police chief added: “Our recent meeting with political leaders was very cordial. After the meeting, I hosted them for lunch, and everyone was on the same page. I appreciate their commitment to ensuring that this process goes smoothly for the sake of our democracy”.
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