Swapo newspaper back soon

Swapo central committee member Paulus Kapia says the Swapo mouthpiece, Namibia Today, will soon return to the streets, and will expose what people do in their bedrooms, among other things.

Kapia said this while addressing a Swapo campaign event at Omunyele village at Outapi on Sunday.

“Our newspaper, Namibia Today, will be back on the streets very soon. Be ready to read. We will report on everything you do in your bedrooms. We will not hide. If we know you, we will report on you,” Kapia said.

He said the paper will be targeting those critical of Swapo.

“You are fighting Swapo. We will take bazooka and artilleries . . . We are not criticising, we are talking the truth,” Kapia said.
Namibia Today ceased publication in 2015 under editor Asser Ntinda, a controversial figure known for his scathing attacks on The Namibian.

He unsuccessfully sued The Namibian for N$500 000 in 2013.

During his tenure, Ntinda reportedly enjoyed close ties to powerful figures within Swapo and held positions on boards of prominent parastatals.

He was ultimately seen as siding with those opposed to president Hage Geingob in the party’s leadership contest.

University of Pretoria politics professor Henning Melber says Kapia’s announcement is an empty gesture that does little to address underlying issues.

“It seems to be created as a platform to instigate discriminatory and even personalised attacks,” he says.

Melber says Namibia does not need more irresponsible campaigning at the expense of citizens’ civil rights.

He says re-establishing the newspaper with the declared intentions and aims should be a reason not to vote for such a party.

“The country is far away from a decent democracy based on respect and the recognition of differences,’ he says.

Meanwhile, political scientist Rui Tyitende asks whether Swapo or Kapia would install cameras in people’s bedrooms. “How does that serve the interest of the public?” he asks.

Popular Democratic Movement spokesperson Hidipo Hamata says he is not surprised by Kapia’s announcement.

“The revival of Namibia Today with the intention to report on private bedroom matters and target critics highlights Swapo’s approach to political strategy.

“Such tactics reflect a disregard for privacy, journalistic integrity, and personal harm. They indicate a preference for sensationalism over substantive political discourse,” he said.