WITVLEI village is at boiling point with threats of a ‘civil war’ levelled during a demonstration held on Tuesday afternoon.
At the heart of the unhappiness between two groups of people is the way the Village Council is run by a small clique led by local Swapo Party co-ordinator and village chairperson Pio Nganate.The group opposing him claim corruption, favouritism, nepotism and general apathy in the maintenance of services.On the other hand, those close to Nganate claim racism against Jan von Ziegenweidt, alias Ziegie, a local businessman whom they accuse of inciting residents against the Village Council and promoting hatred.It all started after Ziegenweidt started taking on the Council on their lacklustre approach towards the provision of services to the community.He went to the extent of writing letters to the Council and the Ministry of Local Government and organising community meetings where people were informed of their rights.His moves did not go down well with the powers that be at the village and soon allegations of racism were directed towards him.Tuesday’s demonstration was organised by local teacher Paul Nunuheb, who made it clear to all residents supporting Ziegenweidt that they risk being ‘dragged out of their houses’.’We will take serious steps against those who support Ziegie,’ he said as a group of women walked past the demonstration and claimed that they could not march on hungry stomachs.’We are getting hungry in the location because there is no development,’ one of the young women shouted.Nunuheb immediately shouted back at her threatening them that they will ‘hurt them at their houses’.’There will be a civil war. We just want to warn those who work with Ziegie,’ he said in the presence of the Police.Nunuheb claimed that the villagers were no longer at peace with each other since Ziegenweidt arrived three years ago.Reading out the petition, which they handed over to the Police as well as Gobabis Mayor Platini Katjaoha, Nunuheb said Ziegenweidt has written insulting and humiliating letters which belittled elected Swapo leaders.’I have never since my arrival in Witvlei arranged, orchestrated, planned or participated in any public demonstration. The claim is therefore totally incorrect. I have indeed witnessed three demonstrations though, arranged independently by the community incidentally demonstrating against the shocking services, maladministration and corrupt activities of our village council and which is indeed also along the same vain as what I have had to complain about through correspondence over the last few years since my arrival, from a business perspective,’ Ziegenweidt said when approached for response.He claims that certain individuals like Nunuheb have politicised his and other people’s complaints about services at the village.’I view this petition with public demonstration as victimising and intimidating. By selfish action of a few power-hungry politicians working evidently in unison, they inappropriately misguide the public by inciting people to get involved with negative public activity that they would otherwise not have participated in and then also tastelessly bring my person, my reputation and that of my business, into disrepute,’ he said.Ziegenweidt said he has instructed his lawyers to investigate the chances of suing the organisers of the demonstration.’As the Witvlei Community was surreptitiously used to cover this evidently political motion, steps are being considered against the Swapo Party too. The actions today were inciteful and harmful to various parties, to the hopeful personal gain of a few aspirant individuals,’ he said.Nunuheb said Ziegenweidt’s presence remind them of pre-Independence racism.They called on the Government to expropriate his business and give him two weeks to leave Witvlei but did not say what action they will take if he refuses.Ziegenweidt said he cannot be held responsible ‘for things that remind other people of the past’.’Is this because of my skin colour maybe? Those experiencing such reminders should adjust their mindsets, because getting rid of reminders is not going to solve their problem in the longer term, unless every white person is evicted for the sake of those who cannot let go of the past,’ he said.
