Cops urged parties to campaign peacefully

THE Khomas Regional Police Commander urged all political parties to avoid situations in the upcoming elections campaign to avoid situations where Police have to monitor public gatherings and party rallies ‘armed with assault rifles, gas masks, batons and bullet proof vests as if Namibians are at war.’

Commissioner Samuel Hoebeb spoke Thursday at a consultative meeting between Police and political parties to map out guidelines for a ‘conducive election environment.’’There was a previous meeting in October 2008 with Police Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga and it was resolved to invite parties at regional level. That has been taken over by events – of recent law enforcement officers dealt with a number of politically motivated incidents of illegal gatherings and subsequent disturbances of peace in the Windhoek’s Wanaheda suburb – a regrettable and unfortunate incident in our democratic society,’ Hoebeb told the dozen representatives of several parties.Khomas Regional Governor Sophia Shaningwa appealed to ‘everyone’ to ensure that peace and tolerance prevailed before and after the upcoming elections. ‘It is high time we realise that we are not enemies, but political opponents.’The Police and the political parties were to agree on resolutions for the conduct during rallies and the general campaigning. By late yesterday afternoon, the participants were still busy, when The Namibian arrived to obtain the resolutions.Last year Swapo supporters chased away RDP party members who wanted to hold a rally at a designated spot in Katutura and Police had to use teargas and confiscated pistols from Swapo supporters. At Outapi near Ruacana over 1 000 Swapo supporters chased RDP supporters out of that town. brigitte@namibian.com.na