Hell Hath No Fury Like LPM Scorned

Sjoe! The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) claim to be happy over the departure of a founder and deputy leader, but are betrayed by their vicious parting shots.

Taking potshots at political opponents is often accepted for what it is, but the elaborate and vile attack the LPM launched on its key ideological crafters goes beyond the culture of civility that democratic Namibia has come to be known for.

Since the LPM’s inception, The Namibian has criticised the party’s two founders (Henny Seibeb and party head Bernadus Swartbooi) over the vulgar manner in which they engaged opponents even in parliament, which has a set decorum.

A press statement signed by LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa criticised Seibeb as unprofessional with “childish and barbaric mannerisms” and “often violent, loud and unfiltered expressions of hate”.

The statement contains character assassination remarks that go beyond political criticism.

As it’s said in some Namibian lingo, mapara pas a statement like “his media-hungry, attention-seeking personality demanded that the party even defend his male organ”?

It’s not our business to know why LPM put up with leaders they “never needed” or considered undesirable since its inception more than seven years ago.

But statements like “his only life highlight is an assistant job”; “invisible and inconsequent”; and “colossal liability” do not seem to tally with the LPM leadership’s assertion that they are dignified and “celebrating” the departure of “deliquents” and “unimpressive jokers”.

Instead, the party is spitting bile and living up to the phrase “hall hath no fury like LPM scorned”.