NDMC ‘victim of venue colonisation’

THE Namibia Democratic Movement for Change (NDMC) had to postpone its election rally in the Epako township at Gobabis on Saturday after Swapo took over its designated meeting place.

According to NDMC Secretary General Claudia Namises, the party had scheduled a meeting on open ground between the Damara Location and the community hall starting at 16h00. When party workers arrived, they found Swapo election workers had already pitched a tent there.Swapo had scheduled a rally at the Legare Stadium, which is some distance away, for Sunday afternoon.The NDMC organisers then moved to a venue on the outskirts of Epako where some of their supporters gathered, but many did not have transport.It was then decided to reschedule the meeting for yesterday afternoon.An unhappy Namises insisted that her party had obtained permission to use the site between the Damara Location and the community centre.A senior police officer, who might have been able to clarify the issue, was out of town yesterday and could not be reached for comment.When party workers arrived, they found Swapo election workers had already pitched a tent there.Swapo had scheduled a rally at the Legare Stadium, which is some distance away, for Sunday afternoon.The NDMC organisers then moved to a venue on the outskirts of Epako where some of their supporters gathered, but many did not have transport.It was then decided to reschedule the meeting for yesterday afternoon.An unhappy Namises insisted that her party had obtained permission to use the site between the Damara Location and the community centre.A senior police officer, who might have been able to clarify the issue, was out of town yesterday and could not be reached for comment.