Mushelenga blames opposition for poor development

Swapo central committee member Peya Mushelenga says towns governed by opposition parties are facing significant development delays.

Mushelenga made these remarks at a mini rally at Ondangwa on Sunday.

“There are some people in the past who tried to say they will shame Swapo by voting for opposition parties so that Swapo cannot be in some towns,” said Mushelenga, who is also the minister of international relations and cooperation.

“Have you seen how those towns where Swapo is no longer look? There is a metaphor that says, ‘where it flew from, it is where it just landed’ – meaning nothing new was done.”

Mushelenga said since his tenure as urban and rural development minister, all towns previously under Swapo’s leadership have stagnated.

“They were progressing well but as we speak, there is no town that has progressed. And if you make a mistake and let the whole country be taken over, it will be like those towns, as well. And for you to have no development for a period of five years, that is a longer period and you will feel like it’s 50 years,” he said.

According to Mushelenga, there were plans in place for development at towns while Swapo was in charge.

“But when those parties took over, no new houses were built, no roads were developed and nothing improved. Had you voted for the party that was previously in power, you wouldn’t be in this situation. Now everything is at a standstill.”

Mushelenga said some people are planning to vote for both Swapo and an opposition candidate for president.

He claimed this goes against Swapo’s principles.

“You must vote for the Swapo party and its presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. That’s our culture. It is not possible for more than two people to be presidential candidates from one political party, we only vote for one.”

He encouraged citizens to vote to preserve peace, order and stability in the country.

“Many countries in the world are destroyed because they lack peace and stability. The Swapo-led government maintained peace, order and stability for the past 34 years. The peace that we are maintaining is for ourselves and our neighbouring countries and we will continue preserving it,” he said.

Mushelenga noted that the problems facing the country cannot all be resolved at once.

“Needs are a lot. Some people need roads, schools, clinics, water and electricity, while some are farmers seeking government subsidies. But the government does not forget its citizens. We are not saying go vote because it’s a culture but you are going to vote because you have seen what was done for you and you can see the results. Either you, your brother, sister or neighbour. We want these plans to continue.”

‘CHEAP POLITICS’

Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah labelled Mushelenga’s assessment “cheap politics” and blamed the government for poor development.

“Who is to blame here is the Swapo-led government that is in power of everything. The blame must go straight to the government,” Kamwanyah said.

“That is just cheap politics. That is a sign that these politicians have nothing to campaign with, just too many conspiracies and trying to cover up their failures,” he said.

‘OUT OF IDEAS’

Independent Patriots For Change spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge said comments like Mushelenga’s indicate that Swapo has run out of ideas.

“What does he mean, if local authorities fall under the urban ministry, which is headed by a Swapo Cabinet minister? They are run by funding from the central government. When residents pay for rates and taxes, these funds are used for development but the minister sits on approvals of developmental projects,” Nashinge said.

He further said many residents, particularly at Walvis Bay, lost their jobs to the “Swapo Fishrot scandal”.

“Every decision requires ministerial approval. Is he implying that his colleague does not get these proposals? The government does not provide funds for development to these local authorities on time, how do you expect development? Nashinge said the finger pointing is misplaced.

“He must point it to himself. He was once a minister of urban and rural development, what did he do there?”