This call comes amid increasing signs of political intolerance and near violent stand-offs between members of different political parties.

King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, chief of the Ndonga and the Chairman of the Council of Traditional Authorities, called a press conference at Ongwediva yesterday where he made a passionate plea to political leaders and their supporters to exercise restraint.

Except for the Uukwaluudhi Traditional Authority, all seven other traditional authorities in the former Owambo attended the conference.

He said because the Traditional Authorities Act prohibits traditional leaders to participate in politics, they have entrusted "politics in your hands as politicians because we trusted you, but you must know that we are not going to allow us to be led by people who do not worry or care about the people's fate and interests".

Elifas was apprehensive about future elections, saying he feared that Namibians might try and resolve their difference through violence.

"Till today, we are mourning our beloved ones who lost their lives during the hard and bitter liberation struggle.

If we are going to allow this to happen again, will we again be in a position to maintain the spirit of national reconciliation?" he asked.

He lamented the fact that the very people who shared trenches during the liberation war do not see eye-to-eye today.

According to him the political environment is permeated by "hatred and the promotion of character assassination, libellous statements made against each other, serious instigations and the carrying of weapons at meetings.

This all will not bring us anywhere".

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