We Need United Action Against Violence

VIOLENCE has to be condemned, wherever it happens and whoever the perpetrators are. We would therefore roundly condemn individuals responsible, or the organisations they belong to, who may be inciting such acts.

In the current context in the run-up to presidential and parliamentary elections later this month, with feelings running high in certain parts of the country, we would equally condemn intimidation and physical assaults, from whichever quarter they emanate.The most recent case which captured the headlines is that of the standoff between Swapo members and those of the opposition Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) in the Outapi area last weekend, which resulted in several injuries and heightened tensions.It does appear as if the actions of Swapo members precipitated the confrontation, as they blocked an RDP convoy of vehicles entering Outapi from Okalongo, and later again as the convoy prepared to leave Outapi, they were stoned and RDP supporters retaliated. Chaos then erupted with the Police having to fire teargas to bring the mayhem to a close.Also confiscated were a wide variety of weapons, including knives, bows and arrows, sticks, axes and knobkieries, and yes, even a rocket launcher, which could have been makeshift but nevertheless a real ‘weapon of war’, which were apparently carried by supporters of both political parties.Acknowledgement later came from the Minister of Information, Joel Kaapanda, who, while he targeted both parties, pointed a finger at Swapo for their actions, and said that Government clearly condemned the violence.He emphasised that no one should take the law into their own hands and that Government did not want to see violence during this election campaign.His words come better late than never.What does need to be clearly highlighted here is that the actions of the past months, virtually since the formation of the RDP, has given rise to this situation. Swapo went on an all-out offensive against the RDP, throwing democracy to the wind as they castigated those who supported the new political party as the ‘enemy’, went on a witch-hunt against alleged ‘hibernators’, and among others, called for boycotts on shops and businesses run by members of the opposition.This anti-RDP offensive certainly inflamed their members and supporters to the extent that the violence, which was an inevitable result, has now materialised.They drove this campaign in spite of the warnings of many committed to democracy and human rights, that this type of rhetoric would not promote tolerance and understanding, but would have the opposite effect. And so Swapo has to shoulder much of the blame for what has now sadly unfolded.Namibians from all walks and political persuasions need to learn for once and for all that democracy means opposition. This is not a one-party state, so we should not allow people to act as though they live in one. We have opted for political pluralism and the rule of law. Let us allow our people to make the choices that democracy allows them to make. We keep telling them their vote is secret, and yet we berate any who are seen to support other political parties. This intimidation, for it is clearly that, must cease.People from across the political spectrum should also be deterred from carrying weapons, either for offensive or defensive purposes, particularly when attending rallies where feelings may run high. The Police need to give strong guidelines in this regard.Those who make themselves guilty of acts of intimidation and assaults must be brought to book, from whichever political party they come from. More than this, political leadership from all walks must clearly instruct their supporters that violence is not the solution, and that it will not be tolerated.Let this be a lesson to us all that incitement will have its effect in violence, and let us bring it to an end right now before the cost not only stains our hard-won democracy but may also take its toll in human life!Let us live together in harmony in our diversity and differences and ensure that the rights of everyone are respected.