Nekundi under fire for ‘political graves’ remarks

Swapo parliamentarian and works and transport deputy minister Veikko Nekundi is under fire for calling on supporters to show him the political graves of opposition leaders McHenry Venaani and Panduleni Itula after the November election.

Political analyst Henning Melber on Monday labelled Nekundi’s comments as shockingly irresponsible and requiring undeserved condemnation.

“Nekundi needs to be named and shamed – like everyone else resorting to similar agitation. One cannot condemn the slapping of a Swapo campaigner and remain silent when it comes to this abhorrence,” Melber said.

“Politicians should base their campaignings on factual arguments about why their party deserves support, sharing realistic policy programmes rather than building castles in the air and attacking competitors in a way that puts their physical integrity at risk.

“There should be condemnation by all parties and public outcry which names and shames this and similar other excesses, no matter by whom and by which party.

“Namibian democracy deserves better,” he said.

Melber further said Nekundi should be officially reprimanded by Swapo and should apologise publicly.

Melber asserted that given the increased contestation for votes during the next few months, all parties must strictly adhere to electoral guidelines and civil behaviour to limit the risk of verbal or physical abuse and violence.

Read the full story in The Namibian.

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