More political violence claimed at Omuthiya

POLICE at the newly proclaimed town of Omuthiya are accused of refusing to allow a man who was allegedly assaulted to lay a criminal charge against his assailant.

Scheduled local elections at the town were postponed at the last minute two weeks ago after alleged irregularities concerning the voters’ roll. A Swapo supporter allegedly hit Frans ‘Chakolona’ Mateus over the head with a club, causing serious ear injuries.The incident happened at Jakobina’s Shebeen at Omuthiya last weekend while Mateus was asleep on a bench outside.Mateus was wearing a T-shirt of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), an eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Namibian.The assailant allegedly told the victim: “We Swapo members here have already said that you RDP members will be made to eat your T-shirts.Take note also that Swapo is armed with guns”.Mateus went to the Omuthiya Police station the next day to lay a criminal charge against the man.A Police officer allegedly declined to accept Mateus’s statement and refused to issue him a J88 (medical report) form in order for Mateus to undergo a medical examination.The officer was said to have told Mateus he was an Angolan and had no right to lay a charge against a Namibian.A friend of Mateus arranged transport for him to be treated at Onandjokwe hospital in the meantime.Approached for comment, the Police station Commander, Sergeant Adolf Kanenguni, told The Namibian on Friday that he would not comment on the matter.”I cannot speak to the media and I am also travelling,” he said.Meanwhile, the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) reported yesterday that the Police officer in question had confronted Mateus saying: “You will bring me problems” after Mateus decided to report the incident to human rights monitors.The NSHR advised Mateus to lay a charge against his attacker at a different Police station if necessary.”After NSHR intervention, Mateus has since been allowed to lay a charge against the man at the Omuthiya Police station, the organisation said in a statement yesterday.The NSHR urged Swapo to stop attacks on opposition members and supporters.”These incidents point to the existence of a premeditated and systematic campaign or collective plan of violence,” the organisation charged.”The objective of such plan appears to cleanse the country of anyone viewed as a ‘traitor’ or an ‘enemy of peace’, as Swapo critics are systematically viewed and treated as such in the country.”We fear that, unless nipped in the bud, this state of affairs might slowly but surely assume the proportions of the political violence that has been occurring in neighbouring Zimbabwe and in Kenya”, NSHR Executive Director Phil ya Nangoloh warned.Systematic persecution and other inhumane acts, such as ongoing physical attacks, denial of water and other access to State resources as well as any other punitive sanctions against critics of the ruling party were totally and completely against the letter and spirit of the Namibian Constitution, he said.”The fact that the Swapo leadership was fully aware of the acts of political violence committed by their subordinates, but have so far failed to take the necessary measures to prevent further commission of these acts, was indicative that such acts are carried out with the knowledge, tolerance or acquiescence of the said leadership as part of an undeclared collective plan of that party”, Ya Nangoloh claimed.Swapo members are on record saying that opposition parties “will never be allowed to come to power” in Namibia, he pointed out.”The systematic persecution and other inhumane acts committed by Swapo members against anyone exercising their right to freedom of expression and opinion, association, assembly and movement should be viewed as against the presence of a collective Swapo plan or strategy.”A Swapo supporter allegedly hit Frans ‘Chakolona’ Mateus over the head with a club, causing serious ear injuries.The incident happened at Jakobina’s Shebeen at Omuthiya last weekend while Mateus was asleep on a bench outside.Mateus was wearing a T-shirt of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), an eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Namibian.The assailant allegedly told the victim: “We Swapo members here have already said that you RDP members will be made to eat your T-shirts.Take note also that Swapo is armed with guns”.Mateus went to the Omuthiya Police station the next day to lay a criminal charge against the man.A Police officer allegedly declined to accept Mateus’s statement and refused to issue him a J88 (medical report) form in order for Mateus to undergo a medical examination.The officer was said to have told Mateus he was an Angolan and had no right to lay a charge against a Namibian.A friend of Mateus arranged transport for him to be treated at Onandjokwe hospital in the meantime.Approached for comment, the Police station Commander, Sergeant Adolf Kanenguni, told The Namibian on Friday that he would not comment on the matter.”I cannot speak to the media and I am also travelling,” he said.Meanwhile, the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) reported yesterday that the Police officer in question had confronted Mateus saying: “You will bring me problems” after Mateus decided to report the incident to human rights monitors.The NSHR advised Mateus to lay a charge against his attacker at a different Police station if necessary.”After NSHR intervention, Mateus has since been allowed to lay a charge against the man at the Omuthiya Police station, the organisation said in a statement yesterday.The NSHR urged Swapo to stop attacks on opposition members and supporters.”These incidents point to the existence of a premeditated and systematic campaign or collective plan of violence,” the organisation charged.”The objective of such plan appears to cleanse the country of anyone viewed as a ‘traitor’ or an ‘enemy of peace’, as Swapo critics are systematically viewed and treated as such in the country.”We fear that, unless nipped in the bud, this state of affairs might slowly but surely assume the proportions of the political violence that has been occurring in neighbouring Zimbabwe and in Kenya”, NSHR Executive Director Phil ya Nangoloh warned.Systematic persecution and other inhumane acts, such as ongoing physical attacks, denial of water and other access to State resources as well as any other punitive sanctions against critics of the ruling party were totally and completely against the letter and spirit of the Namibian Constitution, he said.”The fact that the Swapo leadership was fully aware of the acts of political violence committed by their subordinates, but have so far failed to take the necessary measures to prevent further commission of these acts, was indicative that such acts are carried out with the knowledge, tolerance or acquiescence of the said leadership as part of an undeclared collective plan of that party”, Ya Nangoloh claimed.Swapo members are on record saying that opposition parties “will never be allowed to come to power” in Namibia, he pointed out.”The systematic persecution and other inhumane acts committed by Swapo members against anyone exercising their right to freedom of expression and opinion, association, assembly and movement should be viewed as against the presence of a collective Swapo plan or strategy.”