In 2008, former president Hifikepunye Pohamba said Swapo members who joined the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) were traitors “like Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus”.
That same year, then mines minister Erkki Nghimtina allegedly fired shots into the air on hearing that his 19-year-old nephew had joined the RDP, claiming he had raised him with “Swapo money”.
It seems old habits die hard. Last week, a Swapo member drove into a crowd of Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) supporters at Outapi, injuring one person.
It’s a despicable and cowardly act and has no place in Namibian politics. Swapo needs to rein in its supporters.
We urge political leaders to weigh their words as the election season gathers momentum.
That’s why politicians such as deputy works minister Veikko Nekundi and others should be careful about making reckless comments about burying political opponents that could be misinterpreted by the public.
Later in his presidency, Pohamba would be born again on the issue of intolerance.
“I call upon all Namibians to ensure that all our laws are respected. We should ensure that election campaigns and other political activities are conducted in a peaceful atmosphere,” he said.
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