‘Opposition must accept poll defeat’

WORKS Minister Joel Kaapanda has told opposition parties to stop “brooding” and “howling” over the many elections they have lost and start thinking about making meaningful contributions to the country’s economy.

Kaapanda said it was evident that participatory democracy and political tolerance prevailed in Namibia when the Republican Party and the Congress of Democrats embarked on a legal challenge for a recount of votes in the November elections. “The recount, fortunately for Swapo, did not yield the desired results as expected by the opposition parties,” said Kaapanda.”During the recount process Swapo displayed great character and integrity, in the face of blatant provocation and insinuation,” he claimed.Kaapanda told the National Assembly on Wednesday that while the two parties embarked on yet another court challenge to have the results declared null and void, the Swapo Government would continue to deliver services to Namibians.Kaapanda called for the “acceleration” of capital projects covered in the budget.He said it was imperative that, after 15 years of Independence, Government should not only celebrate its success, but also review its failures.”The recount, fortunately for Swapo, did not yield the desired results as expected by the opposition parties,” said Kaapanda.”During the recount process Swapo displayed great character and integrity, in the face of blatant provocation and insinuation,” he claimed.Kaapanda told the National Assembly on Wednesday that while the two parties embarked on yet another court challenge to have the results declared null and void, the Swapo Government would continue to deliver services to Namibians.Kaapanda called for the “acceleration” of capital projects covered in the budget.He said it was imperative that, after 15 years of Independence, Government should not only celebrate its success, but also review its failures.