SERIOUS differences in wording and approach yesterday led to the sudden postponement of a media briefing on the Zimbabwe situation planned by the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW).
The Namibian established that the top leadership of the umbrella union was divided on how to tackle the situation in the neighbouring country, with one group wanting to condemn it, and the other feeling “quiet diplomacy” needed to be employed. A heated debate erupted on Tuesday afternoon when the first meeting took place to discuss the issue and the same type of hot air was felt a few hours before yesterday’s scheduled media briefing.In the end, sources said, it was decided to seek more consultation before a final decision is taken.However, most of the unionists The Namibian spoke to yesterday agreed that a statement on Zimbabwe was virtually off their agenda.”We cannot be seen to criticise what’s happening there when the party has already made a statement,” said one unionist.”The mere fact that it is not being debated in Parliament is enough message that there is no room for discussion,” he said.NUNW Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda maintained that the briefing was only postponed for wider consultation.Meanwhile, the Public Service Union of Namibia has described the brutal beating of opposition leaders and supporters in Zimbabwe as “hooligan tactics”, which lacked dignity and would only strengthen the hand of the “imperialists who now benefit from our being cast in such bad light”.PSUN Secretary General Victor Kanzonyati said they deplored and condemned the instance of physically beating up and torturing anybody, irrespective of what their transgression may be.”We in Namibia and most possibly in the vast majority of the SADC countries, including Zimbabwe, have adopted constitutions and national laws guaranteeing basic human rights and freedoms.It is not only illegal in terms of these laws to beat up people, but outright barbaric and totally abhorrent,” he said.A heated debate erupted on Tuesday afternoon when the first meeting took place to discuss the issue and the same type of hot air was felt a few hours before yesterday’s scheduled media briefing.In the end, sources said, it was decided to seek more consultation before a final decision is taken.However, most of the unionists The Namibian spoke to yesterday agreed that a statement on Zimbabwe was virtually off their agenda.”We cannot be seen to criticise what’s happening there when the party has already made a statement,” said one unionist.”The mere fact that it is not being debated in Parliament is enough message that there is no room for discussion,” he said.NUNW Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda maintained that the briefing was only postponed for wider consultation.Meanwhile, the Public Service Union of Namibia has described the brutal beating of opposition leaders and supporters in Zimbabwe as “hooligan tactics”, which lacked dignity and would only strengthen the hand of the “imperialists who now benefit from our being cast in such bad light”.PSUN Secretary General Victor Kanzonyati said they deplored and condemned the instance of physically beating up and torturing anybody, irrespective of what their transgression may be.”We in Namibia and most possibly in the vast majority of the SADC countries, including Zimbabwe, have adopted constitutions and national laws guaranteeing basic human rights and freedoms.It is not only illegal in terms of these laws to beat up people, but outright barbaric and totally abhorrent,” he said.
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