Govt calls for arrests over ‘kill whites’ poster

GOVERNMENT has called for arrests in the wake of a Herero demonstration on August 24, at which a placard reading “kill all whites” was displayed.

A press release on Thursday by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said the poster challenged both the Constitution and the law. “The Namibian Constitution in Article 10 (2) prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, creed or social or economic status.The poster was also in contravention of the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act, Act No.26 of 1991, which makes the action called for in the poster illegal and a criminal offence,” the statement said.It said Government would not tolerate any form of racial discrimination that can instigate conflict and called on law-enforcement agencies to “act swiftly to apprehend the perpetrators so that the courts can deal with them”.”Discrimination and hate speech have the ability to compromise the existing peace, security and tranquillity that Namibia has enjoyed since Independence.The existing secure environment is a prerequisite for current and future socio-economic development and, therefore, the Namibian Government cannot and will condone public incitement to crime”.Government said it had, for the past 15 years, called on Namibians to unite.”We can only build this country by taking hands and allowing all Namibians to use their unique skills and talents to help develop the Land of the Brave into a country that can stand proud among the nations of the world.Namibia must remain a place in which all inhabitants and visitors can live in peace and harmony”.”The Namibian Constitution in Article 10 (2) prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, creed or social or economic status.The poster was also in contravention of the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act, Act No.26 of 1991, which makes the action called for in the poster illegal and a criminal offence,” the statement said.It said Government would not tolerate any form of racial discrimination that can instigate conflict and called on law-enforcement agencies to “act swiftly to apprehend the perpetrators so that the courts can deal with them”.”Discrimination and hate speech have the ability to compromise the existing peace, security and tranquillity that Namibia has enjoyed since Independence.The existing secure environment is a prerequisite for current and future socio-economic development and, therefore, the Namibian Government cannot and will condone public incitement to crime”.Government said it had, for the past 15 years, called on Namibians to unite.”We can only build this country by taking hands and allowing all Namibians to use their unique skills and talents to help develop the Land of the Brave into a country that can stand proud among the nations of the world.Namibia must remain a place in which all inhabitants and visitors can live in peace and harmony”.