The United Democratic Front (UDF) has strongly condemned remarks by deputy prime minister Natangue Ithete, who told supporters at Khorixas that he would only work with Swapo office bearers, warning that those who elect opposition leaders are “bringing hunger upon themselves”.
“I will only be able to work well with Swapo people. If you vote and give me someone else from opposition, you have brought hunger on yourself,” Ithete said at a Swapo rally at Khorixas last Saturday.
The comments, captured in a video seen by The Namibian, have sparked outrage, with critics accusing Ithete of undermining democracy and using fear to influence voters.
UDF national spokesperson Mabasen /Narib, in a statement issued on Saturday, described Ithete’s remarks as a sign of desperation to solicit support for Swapo and its candidates.
“As UDF we are happy that the deputy prime minister has revealed the root cause of underdevelopment in Khorixas and other opposition-led councils and constituencies,” /Narib said.
He alleged that service delivery is being deliberately delayed in opposition-run areas to make voters believe that non-Swapo councils have failed.
/Narib added that Namibians should not be forced to vote for Swapo in order to receive the services they are entitled to.
Questioning “what kind of cruelty is this,” he accused government leaders of using state resources meant to improve lives to buy votes.
He warned that voter intimidation will not be tolerated, saying: “This kind of statement is a pure insult and disregard to the ideals and principles of democracy. The Swapo regime is worse than the apartheid regime. A leader who represents Namibia should work with everybody irrespective of their political affiliation.”
/Narib said the right to political affiliation is protected by the Constitution, adding that UDF councillors are expected to serve everyone equally.
“We are service-delivery oriented and we don’t threaten people by telling them that if you don’t vote for UDF, you will be subjected to poverty,” he said.
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