LPM slams ‘selective’ drought relief distribution at Otjiwarongo

The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has accused Swapo members within the Otjozondjupa Regional Council of favouring party-affiliated community members when distributing drought relief at Otjiwarongo.

The Otjiwarongo constituency councillor post is currently vacant, awaiting a by-election next month. According to LPM local authority councillor Sebeteus Kuiteb, this has resulted in an alleged process-manipulation with no one controlling the drought relief programme.

“It has come to our attention that the drought relief food programme, an essential service designed to assist all residents during times of crisis, is being manipulated for political gain by those in power. We have observed … that this vital assistance is being distributed selectively, favouring individuals affiliated with the ruling party while systematically excluding members of the community who align with opposition parties,” Kuiteb told The Namibian on Tuesday.

He described the alleged act as discriminatory and undermining the purpose of the drought relief food programme, which, he argued should serve all inhabitants of Otjiwarongo regardless of their political affiliations.

He said the town’s community is challenged and economically restrained by high unemployment rates and the need for equitable access to resources.

He further claimed that most of the food distribution is done in the DRC area – which he described as a Swapo stronghold – leaving many vulnerable families without the support they need.

“I mostly see the bakkie [that distributes relief] in DRC where Swapo has the most votes and it is the very same place where allegations of rigged votes emerged. Are we saying because one is not Swapo they will not get food distribution? Something must be done urgently,” he said.

He called for the entire distribution process to be halted until the by-elections have been completed, and for relevant authorities to investigate and take immediate action to restore fairness in the distribution of resources.

Approached for comment, Otjozondjupa Regional Council chairperson Johannes Hausiku says the matter was not brought to his attention but pledged to investigate when he travels to Otjiwarongo this week for a meeting.

Hausiku currently resides in the Tsumkwe constituency, where he is the councillor.

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is yet to respond on the matter.

However, after the Rehoboth community recently questioned why they do not qualify for the basic income grant, OPM public relations officer Maximus Halwoodi explained that for a household to qualify for the grant, its entire monthly income must be below N$3 300.

He also explained that those registered with any government grant are only eligible for one and cannot have both.

“Those getting grants in the form of money are not eligible for drought relief food and vice versa,” he says.

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