Boycott RDP businesses: Swapo

FORMER Swapo members who joined the new opposition party Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) were traitors like Judas, who betrayed Jesus and misled people, President Hifikepunye Pohamba charged at a Swapo rally at Omuthiya on Saturday.

“They are comparable to the biblical Judas Iscariot – they were with us (in Swapo), but they betrayed us,” claimed Pohamba, who spoke for almost 90 minutes in Oshiwambo and referred to the RDP as ‘Radopa’, which means “having failed” in that language. The rally saw a number of ruling party leaders take aim at the RDP, variously telling people to deny RDP members economic opportunities, and to deny them their basic human right of access to water.Those attending the rally were told not to give water to RDP supporters, and to boycott shops owned by the RDP.Oshikoto Governor Penda ya Ndakolo went as far as saying that tenders for projects would not be awarded to RDP members.”We will build a five-star lodge here,” Ya Ndakolo, also a Swapo central committee member, boasted.Saturday’s rally was held on the premises of new Swapo Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana’s butchery at Omuthiya, which has been at the centre of a storm over an alleged tender controversy.Questions have been raised over how the butchery secured a deal to supply meat to Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR).Ithana and the Anti-Corruption Commission have denied that there was any wrongoing.TIME TO VOTE Omuthiya was recently proclaimed a town, and this week 1 600 registered voters will elect their first town council.Saturday’s rally got off to a slow start.People trickled in at first, causing the event to start two hours late, despite Swapo musicians Ndilimani and singer Tate Buti providing entertainment.”They (the RDP) are betraying the people who sacrificed their lives for Namibia’s freedom.We (of Swapo) will never betray you,” Pohamba claimed.”These people (of RDP) say Swapo is ‘no good’ – does that mean the people who died for our freedom died for nothing?” he asked.”Radopa said I should not have been elected President, but I was elected, they did not achieve what they wanted.”Pohamba was elected President before the RDP was formed last year.However, former Foreign Minister Hidipo Hamutenya was one of three Swapo presidential candidates in 2004.During his speech, Pohamba referred to the Namibian Constitution, which allows for freedom of political association, meaning citizens can vote for or join a political party of their choice.However, the Head of State, who was elected Swapo Party President in December, claimed to the crowd that “if you make the mistake of following [voting for] them – RDP – you will be giving away the newly constructed local authority and regional government buildings”.The President failed to mention that the buildings were constructed with taxpayers’ money.”Vote for the party that cares for you – it would be a pity should I hear ‘Radopa’ has town councillors at Omuthiya,” Pohamba said.In the same breath, Pohamba warned of the dangers of tribalism, which had reared its ugly head in Kenya recently after an opposition party there claimed the December 2007 elections were rigged.”I want to lead a peaceful nation,” Pohamba said.He added that the Swapo-led Government had brought development to the area and proof of this was that Omuthiya would become the regional capital of the Oshikoto Region, with a new hospital to be built soon.Tsumeb, the former regional capital, would be a “commercial centre”, President Pohamba said.”RDP is for regression, not progression,” said Swapo’s local firebrand, Armas Amukwiyu.”Don’t give them [RDP members] water and don’t buy from their shops,” he urged the crowd.Amukwiyu also claimed that the RDP had co-operated with Caprivi secessionists under Mishake Muyongo – an accusation already made by the Swapo Youth League recently.The RDP has categorically denied the allegations.In January RDP Secretary General described the claims as “crude” and “unprofessional”.Nyamu said the party had instructed its lawyers to explore legal action against those levelling the accusations unless they apologised.MORE CLAIMS Oshikoto Governor Ya Ndakolo, who spoke in Oshiwambo, then accused human rights activist Phil ya Nangoloh of “fighting” against Swapo.”We are tired of Ya Nangoloh and his people,” the Governor said.He urged the crowd to “reject RDP” and vote for the ruling party.For her part, Swapo Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana called on voters to exercise their democratic rights in a peaceful manner and co-operate with the Police.Just three weeks ago, a man stabbed a female Police officer in the stomach at the entrance gate to the premises of Ithana’s butchery.This happened while Police were checking people arriving for a Swapo rally.Another Police officer shot the man, who died of his wounds a few hours later.President Pohamba claimed on Saturday that the man had not been a Swapo member.”A Swapo supporter would not attack the Police.If you do – you die,” he added.Other prominent Swapo leaders attending the Omuthiya rally were Veterans’ Affairs Minister Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, Youth and Sport Minister John Mutorwa, Deputy Finance Minister Tjekero Tweya and Swapo Youth League Secretary General Eliah Ngurare.The rally saw a number of ruling party leaders take aim at the RDP, variously telling people to deny RDP members economic opportunities, and to deny them their basic human right of access to water.Those attending the rally were told not to give water to RDP supporters, and to boycott shops owned by the RDP.Oshikoto Governor Penda ya Ndakolo went as far as saying that tenders for projects would not be awarded to RDP members.”We will build a five-star lodge here,” Ya Ndakolo, also a Swapo central committee member, boasted.Saturday’s rally was held on the premises of new Swapo Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana’s butchery at Omuthiya, which has been at the centre of a storm over an alleged tender controversy. Questions have been raised over how the butchery secured a deal to supply meat to Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR).Ithana and the Anti-Corruption Commission have denied that there was any wrongoing.TIME TO VOTE Omuthiya was recently proclaimed a town, and this week 1 600 registered voters will elect their first town council.Saturday’s rally got off to a slow start.People trickled in at first, causing the event to start two hours late, despite Swapo musicians Ndilimani and singer Tate Buti providing entertainment.”They (the RDP) are betraying the people who sacrificed their lives for Namibia’s freedom.We (of Swapo) will never betray you,” Pohamba claimed.”These people (of RDP) say Swapo is ‘no good’ – does that mean the people who died for our freedom died for nothing?” he asked.”Radopa said I should not have been elected President, but I was elected, they did not achieve what they wanted.”Pohamba was elected President before the RDP was formed last year.However, former Foreign Minister Hidipo Hamutenya was one of three Swapo presidential candidates in 2004.During his speech, Pohamba referred to the Namibian Constitution, which allows for freedom of political association, meaning citizens can vote for or join a political party of their choice.However, the Head of State, who was elected Swapo Party President in December, claimed to the crowd that “if you make the mistake of following [voting for] them – RDP – you will be giving away the newly constructed local authority and regional government buildings”.The President failed to mention that the buildings were constructed with taxpayers’ money.”Vote for the party that cares for you – it would be a pity should I hear ‘Radopa’ has town councillors at Omuthiya,” Pohamba said.In the same breath, Pohamba warned of the dangers of tribalism, which had reared its ugly head in Kenya recently after an opposition party there claimed the December 2007 elections were rigged.”I want to lead a peaceful nation,” Pohamba said.He added that the Swapo-led Government had brought development to the area and proof of this was that Omuthiya would become the regional capital of the Oshikoto Region, with a new hospital to be built soon.Tsumeb, the former regional capital, would be a “commercial centre”, President Pohamba said.”RDP is for regression, not progression,” said Swapo’s local firebrand, Armas Amukwiyu.”Don’t give them [RDP members] water and don’t buy from their shops,” he urged the crowd.Amukwiyu also claimed that the RDP had co-operated with Caprivi secessionists under Mishake Muyongo – an accusation already made by the Swapo Youth League recently.The RDP has categorically denied the allegations.In January RDP Secretary General described the claims as “crude” and “unprofessional”.Nyamu said the party had instructed its lawyers to explore legal action against those levelling the accusations unless they apologised.MORE CLAIMS Oshikoto Governor Ya Ndakolo, who spoke in Oshiwambo, then accused human rights activist Phil ya Nangoloh of “fighting” against Swapo.”We are tired of Ya Nangoloh and his people,” the Governor said.He urged the crowd to “reject RDP” and vote for the ruling party.For her part, Swapo Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana called on voters to exercise their democratic rights in a peaceful manner and co-operate with the Police.Just three weeks ago, a man stabbed a female Police officer in the stomach at the entrance gate to the premises of Ithana’s butchery.This happened while Police were checking people arriving for a Swapo rally.Another Police officer shot the man, who died of his wounds a few hours later.President Pohamba claimed on Saturday that the man had not been a Swapo member.”A Swapo supporter would not attack the Police.If you do – you die,” he added.Other prominent Swapo leaders attending the Omuthiya rally were Veterans’ Affairs Minister Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, Youth and Sport Minister John Mutorwa, Deputy Finance Minister Tjekero Tweya and Swapo Youth League Secretary General Eliah Ngurare.