Regional Commander appeals for tolerance

KHOMAS Regional Police Commander Samuel //Hoëbeb has called on leaders of political parties to educate their members on democracy and to adhere to the code of conduct during election campaigns.

Swapo supporters prevented the RDP opposition party from holding a rally on the outskirts of Katutura on Saturday. A large Police contingent had to use teargas to disperse the crowd and confiscated four firearms.”The firearms taken to such occasions are of great concern to NamPol, indicating that some people seek violence, and political leaders must please educate their members and supporters so that they [political parties] tolerate each other and not disrupt peaceful gatherings of other parties — that would show maturity,” Commissioner //Hoëbeb told The Namibian late Saturday.”The Police are an apolitical force to keep law and order in the country and to fight crime.We don’t side with any political party but we enforce the law so that justice can prevail.”//Hoëbeb further told The Namibian that Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, who is the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, had invited leaders of political parties to a special meeting at his headquarters on October 3 to address the issue of democratic tolerance and respect and to address the “hostile political environment”.”The Inspector General especially appealed to those present to inform their members to tolerate meetings of other parties in their residential areas, but what we experienced today [Saturday] indicates that his message has not reached down to the membership,” //Hoëbeb said.A civil society source told The Namibian that Swapo Secretary General and Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and Eliah Ngurare, Secretary of the Swapo Youth League, were present at Ndeitunga’s meeting.A large Police contingent had to use teargas to disperse the crowd and confiscated four firearms.”The firearms taken to such occasions are of great concern to NamPol, indicating that some people seek violence, and political leaders must please educate their members and supporters so that they [political parties] tolerate each other and not disrupt peaceful gatherings of other parties — that would show maturity,” Commissioner //Hoëbeb told The Namibian late Saturday.”The Police are an apolitical force to keep law and order in the country and to fight crime.We don’t side with any political party but we enforce the law so that justice can prevail.” //Hoëbeb further told The Namibian that Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, who is the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, had invited leaders of political parties to a special meeting at his headquarters on October 3 to address the issue of democratic tolerance and respect and to address the “hostile political environment”.”The Inspector General especially appealed to those present to inform their members to tolerate meetings of other parties in their residential areas, but what we experienced today [Saturday] indicates that his message has not reached down to the membership,” //Hoëbeb said.A civil society source told The Namibian that Swapo Secretary General and Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and Eliah Ngurare, Secretary of the Swapo Youth League, were present at Ndeitunga’s meeting.