Written by Patience Nyangove and Max Hamata
Thursday, 26 November 2009
PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba has ordered two state-of-the-art S600L Mercedes Benz costing taxpayers about N$10 million - equivalent to the annual salaries for 20 specialist doctors or Anti-retroviral drugs for 26,000 people per month, Informanté has unearthed.
The shocking revelation comes just shortly before Pohamba would be confirmed Namibian President for his second term next week when the results for the Presidential and Parliamentary election are announced.
His decision to acquire an armoured Mercedes Benz S600L and an unarmoured one with optional extras worth N$127,000, is in contrast to Pohamba’s zero tolerance on wasting of public resources according to his declaration when he was sworn as President on 21 March 2005.
“That’s a lot of money to squander on luxurious items like cars and could build a full medical laboratory, supply ARVs to HIV positive women and even cover annual salaries of 20 specialist doctors,” said a medical doctor who asked not to be named.
An inside source at the Office of the President told Informanté that the Presidency was advised against purchasing new vehicles as the conditions of the current Mercedes Presidential motorcade was still good and since he had just bought six new Toyota Land cruisers to beef up his motorcade.
The source added that the Office of the President was also advised to use an idle armoured Mercedes Benz bought shortly before former President Sam Nujoma had demoted former Prime Minister Geingob to a ministerial level.
“Hage’s vehicle is still parked and nobody is using it,” said the source.
Documents in possession of Informanté show that Ndeutala Angolo, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President ordered the Ministry of Works and Transport to acquire one Mercedes Benz S600L B6/B7 protection auto (armoured) and one Mercedes Benz S600L unarmoured.
In a letter dated 18 August 2009 addressed to Ministry of Works and Transport’s Permanent Secretary, George Simataa, under reference 5/1/1, Angolo requests the Ministry to assist with the acquisition of the two vehicles.
A quotation dated 22 September 2009 from M+Z Motors, Windhoek, shows that the Mercedes Benz S600L Guard/Armoured costs a staggering N$6,212,000 inclusive of value added tax and with extras that include a folding table in the rear seat which costs N$23,000 with a driving assistance package which costs a further N$34,000 bringing the total price to N$6,269,000.
The second vehicle, an unarmoured Mercedes Benz S600L costs N$1,626,000 and comes with options of a refrigerator in the rear seat costing N$13,000, folding table in rear costing N$23,000 and a driving assistance package valued at N$34,000 with the end total coming to N$1,676,000.
Informanté has it on good account that the costs will escalate to N$10 million with transportation and import duties.
When contacted for comment, Angolo said she was not aware of the acquisition of the cars although a letter in possession of Informanté plainly shows that she is the one who wrote to the Ministry of Works and Transport seeking their assistance.
“Those are Government cars and it’s the responsibility of the Ministry of Works and Transport. We are just users and we pay to use those cars and so I have no news on this,” she said.
Minister of Transport and Works, Helmut Angula professed ignorance over the acquisition of the two vehicles saying he did not know anything about the cars.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Geingob gets his Volvo, Toyota land cruiser approved
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 26 November 2009
GOVERNMENT has bowed to pressure to buy a Toyota station wagon Land Cruiser valued at N$900,000 for Swapo Vice-President also Trade Minister Hage Geingob and re-spraying his recently acquired grey official Volvo S80 into black at an estimated cost of N$20,000.
The flamboyant Minister’s Permanent Secretary, Malan Lindique, demanded from Permanent Secretary of Works and Transport, George Simataa, to re-spray the Volvo S80 at a cost of between N$16,000 and N$20 000 and acquire a private number - MTI 01 NA - which is distinct from other Minister’s car registrations.
After Simataa refused to budge to what he considered as unreasonable demands from the Trade Minister, Cabinet Secretary Frans Kapofi forced Simataa to enforce Geingob’s wish saying, “The current Minister of Trade and Industry is fairly senior to other Ministers given the fact that he was the First Prime Minister of our Republic.”
In his response on 23 September 2009, Simataa says the reason why Geingob’s colour is different from the other Ministers is because “at the time of purchasing the vehicle, the Ministry of Works and Transport was put under pressure by your Ministry”.
Simataa further explains that consultations were made with the Trade and Industry Ministry regarding the grey colour before it was ordered and they agreed to the colour.
“However, should you wish the vehicle to be re-sprayed to a black colour to ensure uniformity with other GRN Volvos, arrangements could be made at the expense of your Ministry,” Simataa says.
The decision to purchase the 4x4 for Geingob, according to documents, was made in March this year by the Ministry of Works and Transport at the Minister’s request.
The documents further reveal that Geingob did not want the standard Toyota double cab bakkie commonly used by other Ministers.
When contacted for comment Geingob professed ignorance over the matter.
“I don’t know anything about it, so you can write what you want. I am tired of Informanté nonsense. You think I am a kid, I am in kindergarten? I drive my personal Land-Rover,” he said.
Although the Minister of Works and Transport Helmut Angula said he did not know anything about the story, he further said there was nothing unusual with Geingob’s request for a 4x4 vehicle.
“I don’t understand what this story is about. There is nothing special with a Minister requesting a Nissan Navara. We had those cars until two years ago before they were replaced with Toyota vehicles because they were found to have many defects,” he said.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
GOVERNMENT has bowed to pressure to buy a Toyota station wagon Land Cruiser valued at N$900,000 for Swapo Vice-President also Trade Minister Hage Geingob and re-spraying his recently acquired grey official Volvo S80 into black at an estimated cost of N$20,000.
The flamboyant Minister’s Permanent Secretary, Malan Lindique, demanded from Permanent Secretary of Works and Transport, George Simataa, to re-spray the Volvo S80 at a cost of between N$16,000 and N$20 000 and acquire a private number - MTI 01 NA - which is distinct from other Minister’s car registrations.
After Simataa refused to budge to what he considered as unreasonable demands from the Trade Minister, Cabinet Secretary Frans Kapofi forced Simataa to enforce Geingob’s wish saying, “The current Minister of Trade and Industry is fairly senior to other Ministers given the fact that he was the First Prime Minister of our Republic.”
In his response on 23 September 2009, Simataa says the reason why Geingob’s colour is different from the other Ministers is because “at the time of purchasing the vehicle, the Ministry of Works and Transport was put under pressure by your Ministry”.
Simataa further explains that consultations were made with the Trade and Industry Ministry regarding the grey colour before it was ordered and they agreed to the colour.
“However, should you wish the vehicle to be re-sprayed to a black colour to ensure uniformity with other GRN Volvos, arrangements could be made at the expense of your Ministry,” Simataa says.
The decision to purchase the 4x4 for Geingob, according to documents, was made in March this year by the Ministry of Works and Transport at the Minister’s request.
The documents further reveal that Geingob did not want the standard Toyota double cab bakkie commonly used by other Ministers.
When contacted for comment Geingob professed ignorance over the matter.
“I don’t know anything about it, so you can write what you want. I am tired of Informanté nonsense. You think I am a kid, I am in kindergarten? I drive my personal Land-Rover,” he said.
Although the Minister of Works and Transport Helmut Angula said he did not know anything about the story, he further said there was nothing unusual with Geingob’s request for a 4x4 vehicle.
“I don’t understand what this story is about. There is nothing special with a Minister requesting a Nissan Navara. We had those cars until two years ago before they were replaced with Toyota vehicles because they were found to have many defects,” he said.
Girl admitted in mental hospital after rape
Written by Patience Nyangove and Joseph Naluwe
Thursday, 26 November 2009
A 12 year-old girl who was allegedly raped three years-ago by her uncle has been admitted at the Windhoek Central Hospital Mental Health Centre suffering from depression.
The girl, whose father is dead, alleges that her uncle Elia Aula (40) a cleaner at Omaruru Primary School raped her in March 2006 and threatened her with witchcraft if she reported the incident to other family members or the police.
The girl said when she went to report the case the following day at Omaruru Police Station, she was allegedly told by the police to bring along her aunt whose husband had allegedly sexually abused her.
She alleges her aunt also threatened her that if she reports the case her husband would bewitch her and her entire family.
“My life has been a living hell since my grandmother died. I was moving from one house to another like a ball kicked from one direction to another,” the girl said in a letter to Informanté.
The girl said after the alleged rape, she was told by her aunt and husband to leave their home.
“I realise that life was not meant for me. I was always crying, sometimes blaming my mother and sometimes blaming myself. I used to ask myself why life was so unfair and asking God what crime I have committed to deserve all this.
“When that thing (the alleged rape) happened to me I was told by my aunt to leave the place and they took me to my (other) aunt’s house, even though they remind (sic) of the past, life has coming (sic) better,” she said.
The young girl says because of her problems she almost committed suicide by strangling herself with her school tie.
“I took out the tie and started crying. I realised that there is a bright future for me there ahead. I give myself this name Faith so I can always have faith in everything I do and never to give up,” she says.
Aula denied ever sexually abusing his niece however admitting that he fondled her breasts.
“I asked her whether we can sleep under the same blanket and she said no. I only fondled her breasts,” he said.
However, when contacted for comment her aunt said her husband only fondled the girl’s breasts but never raped her.
She said she believed her niece is cooking up the story.
According to a family member who talked to the Informanté on condition of anonymity, the raped minor has been suffering from depression and swollen legs since the alleged sexual abuse.
The family member said they had to take her to hospital to get professional help as her hair was also falling off and she was finding it difficult to relate to male relatives.
The girl, the relative said failed to complete her matriculation because of ill health.
An uncle to the girl Andrew Nambahu said he will not rest until his niece gets justice despite the fact that the police and Women and Child Support Network are allegedly not showing interest in assisting her.
“I have gone everywhere to get help for my niece but it is proving difficult to convince the police to take up the case as they are saying the victim has to be present when I report the case.”
Thursday, 26 November 2009
A 12 year-old girl who was allegedly raped three years-ago by her uncle has been admitted at the Windhoek Central Hospital Mental Health Centre suffering from depression.
The girl, whose father is dead, alleges that her uncle Elia Aula (40) a cleaner at Omaruru Primary School raped her in March 2006 and threatened her with witchcraft if she reported the incident to other family members or the police.
The girl said when she went to report the case the following day at Omaruru Police Station, she was allegedly told by the police to bring along her aunt whose husband had allegedly sexually abused her.
She alleges her aunt also threatened her that if she reports the case her husband would bewitch her and her entire family.
“My life has been a living hell since my grandmother died. I was moving from one house to another like a ball kicked from one direction to another,” the girl said in a letter to Informanté.
The girl said after the alleged rape, she was told by her aunt and husband to leave their home.
“I realise that life was not meant for me. I was always crying, sometimes blaming my mother and sometimes blaming myself. I used to ask myself why life was so unfair and asking God what crime I have committed to deserve all this.
“When that thing (the alleged rape) happened to me I was told by my aunt to leave the place and they took me to my (other) aunt’s house, even though they remind (sic) of the past, life has coming (sic) better,” she said.
The young girl says because of her problems she almost committed suicide by strangling herself with her school tie.
“I took out the tie and started crying. I realised that there is a bright future for me there ahead. I give myself this name Faith so I can always have faith in everything I do and never to give up,” she says.
Aula denied ever sexually abusing his niece however admitting that he fondled her breasts.
“I asked her whether we can sleep under the same blanket and she said no. I only fondled her breasts,” he said.
However, when contacted for comment her aunt said her husband only fondled the girl’s breasts but never raped her.
She said she believed her niece is cooking up the story.
According to a family member who talked to the Informanté on condition of anonymity, the raped minor has been suffering from depression and swollen legs since the alleged sexual abuse.
The family member said they had to take her to hospital to get professional help as her hair was also falling off and she was finding it difficult to relate to male relatives.
The girl, the relative said failed to complete her matriculation because of ill health.
An uncle to the girl Andrew Nambahu said he will not rest until his niece gets justice despite the fact that the police and Women and Child Support Network are allegedly not showing interest in assisting her.
“I have gone everywhere to get help for my niece but it is proving difficult to convince the police to take up the case as they are saying the victim has to be present when I report the case.”
Otavi Village Council under fire
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 26 November 2009
OTAVI Informal Settlement residents are demanding information about the Otavi Village Council expenditure for the past four years including money spent on a trip to Europe.
In a petition to the village council over poor ablution facilities, the residents question why the village council has not done anything to address the issue of blocked toilets two years after a team from the Ombudsman’s office investigated the issue of health hazard condition at the camp.
“A report was submitted to the Ministry of Regional, Local Government and Housing, the Regional Health Directorate in Otjiwarongo and the Otavi Village Council.
“In 2008, a reassessment was done by the team from the Ombudsman. The obligation of the village council has not been fulfilled until today,” the petition points out.
The report from the Ombudsman, according to the petition, noted that there was no political will to improve the conditions at the settlement.
“No funding was available for the devastated water or lights installation for more than 10 years. No cleaning materials and no supervision for the toilets but the CEO and the chairlady of the council travel unauthorised abroad and take a loan on the municipality account,” the petition alleges.
The petition further demands that the village council should explain and provide proof of funds invested in the last four years’ meant for the toilets; a summary of travel allowances and related transport costs for the village councillors; and to say what the villagers gained from the trips.
In a separate letter to the Ombudsman, Uwe Rathmann notes that there are two toilets which serve about 1,120 people and that all the 16 bowls are blocked and overflowing with human waste.
Rathmann further says, “The walls, floors and doors is (sic) covered with dirt and the municipality workers don’t enter the buildings anymore. In the surrounding (sic) of the buildings is standing water and urine.”
He added that people are now using bushes even when it’s dark since there are no lights.
Chairlady of the Otavi Council Ndapewa Nambili, said this was part of poor politics being spearheaded by white people who are not happy with the Swapo led council.
“This is poor politics. I am not working for certain groups. I was elected to serve everyone. These white men had an opportunity to change the living standards of the people but they failed, now they are trying to block what the Swapo supported council is trying to build.
“These white men are trying to cause confusion among the residents besides in an informal settlement you are lucky to have toilets,” she said.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
OTAVI Informal Settlement residents are demanding information about the Otavi Village Council expenditure for the past four years including money spent on a trip to Europe.
In a petition to the village council over poor ablution facilities, the residents question why the village council has not done anything to address the issue of blocked toilets two years after a team from the Ombudsman’s office investigated the issue of health hazard condition at the camp.
“A report was submitted to the Ministry of Regional, Local Government and Housing, the Regional Health Directorate in Otjiwarongo and the Otavi Village Council.
“In 2008, a reassessment was done by the team from the Ombudsman. The obligation of the village council has not been fulfilled until today,” the petition points out.
The report from the Ombudsman, according to the petition, noted that there was no political will to improve the conditions at the settlement.
“No funding was available for the devastated water or lights installation for more than 10 years. No cleaning materials and no supervision for the toilets but the CEO and the chairlady of the council travel unauthorised abroad and take a loan on the municipality account,” the petition alleges.
The petition further demands that the village council should explain and provide proof of funds invested in the last four years’ meant for the toilets; a summary of travel allowances and related transport costs for the village councillors; and to say what the villagers gained from the trips.
In a separate letter to the Ombudsman, Uwe Rathmann notes that there are two toilets which serve about 1,120 people and that all the 16 bowls are blocked and overflowing with human waste.
Rathmann further says, “The walls, floors and doors is (sic) covered with dirt and the municipality workers don’t enter the buildings anymore. In the surrounding (sic) of the buildings is standing water and urine.”
He added that people are now using bushes even when it’s dark since there are no lights.
Chairlady of the Otavi Council Ndapewa Nambili, said this was part of poor politics being spearheaded by white people who are not happy with the Swapo led council.
“This is poor politics. I am not working for certain groups. I was elected to serve everyone. These white men had an opportunity to change the living standards of the people but they failed, now they are trying to block what the Swapo supported council is trying to build.
“These white men are trying to cause confusion among the residents besides in an informal settlement you are lucky to have toilets,” she said.
Municipality divided over rezoning issue
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 26 November 2009
THE Municipality of Windhoek has once again failed to agree on the rezoning of residential areas into business units with councillors alleging that others within council had interest in the issue.
The heated debate that resumed during the last session of the council last week Thursday has been going on since last year following complaints by residents in Windhoek North and West who experienced an influx of Congolese and Angolan businesses in their residential suburbs.
Last week’s debate was triggered by an application for rezoning of ERF, C/O 2 Joseph Wood and Hebenstreit Streets, Klein Windhoek, owned by a certain A Graham, from residential to business.
There was also another application by a certain D Howard to have ERF 1330, 8 Joseph Wood Street, Klein Windhoek rezoned into business offices.
Chairperson of Management Committee of the City of Windhoek, Ellaine Trepper moved the motion saying residencies cannot continue to be sacrificed at the expense of businesses.
Trepper said it was vital to consider the residents’ opinion and for council to start developing new business areas to deal with the contentious rezoning issue.
Councillor Gerson Kamatuka said council cannot be held at ransom and there is need to make further consultations with both residents and businesses before a resolution is passed.
He also raised the issue of morality behind the issuing of business stands in residential areas and whether some councillors were interested parties. Councillor IIme Schneider said there was need to second residents who are against having businesses in residential areas.
She added that residents had a right to privacy and by allowing businesses into residential areas, council is helping in the invading of privacy.
She urged the Mayor to engage businesses, council and residences as a way to come up with a comprehensive decision.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
THE Municipality of Windhoek has once again failed to agree on the rezoning of residential areas into business units with councillors alleging that others within council had interest in the issue.
The heated debate that resumed during the last session of the council last week Thursday has been going on since last year following complaints by residents in Windhoek North and West who experienced an influx of Congolese and Angolan businesses in their residential suburbs.
Last week’s debate was triggered by an application for rezoning of ERF, C/O 2 Joseph Wood and Hebenstreit Streets, Klein Windhoek, owned by a certain A Graham, from residential to business.
There was also another application by a certain D Howard to have ERF 1330, 8 Joseph Wood Street, Klein Windhoek rezoned into business offices.
Chairperson of Management Committee of the City of Windhoek, Ellaine Trepper moved the motion saying residencies cannot continue to be sacrificed at the expense of businesses.
Trepper said it was vital to consider the residents’ opinion and for council to start developing new business areas to deal with the contentious rezoning issue.
Councillor Gerson Kamatuka said council cannot be held at ransom and there is need to make further consultations with both residents and businesses before a resolution is passed.
He also raised the issue of morality behind the issuing of business stands in residential areas and whether some councillors were interested parties. Councillor IIme Schneider said there was need to second residents who are against having businesses in residential areas.
She added that residents had a right to privacy and by allowing businesses into residential areas, council is helping in the invading of privacy.
She urged the Mayor to engage businesses, council and residences as a way to come up with a comprehensive decision.
SPYL, NUNW comments about police unfortunate - NamPol
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 26 November 2009
NAMPOL has described last week’s statements by the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) that the security and law enforcement agencies require a complete overhaul because some police officers are partisan as very unfortunate.
Addressing a joint press conference last Thursday SPYL secretary, Dr Elijah Ngurare together with Evilastus Kaaronda, secretary general of NUNW said they bemoan the reactionary and individual tendencies of some police officers whose conduct is more political than doing the actual police work.
Ngurare said of late police resources were being wasted through meaningless escorts to some “political cry babies” everywhere.
“We cannot be fooled any longer that there is absolute impartiality in the police force. Put simply, the Police in the conduct of the forthcoming elections must be above board and do so with absolute impartiality and root out those bad elements in the Namibian Police who are tainting the good image of the Namibian Police. And we know them very well,” Ngurare said.
Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Hofni Hamufungu said although Ngurare’s statements might have been directed at individual police officers, this may not augur well with the public’s image of the police. Hamufungu said the police force has an open door policy whereby its Police Inspector General and all its members have granted audiences to anyone who feels they are aggrieved. “We would therefore expect the SPYL and NUNW to take recourse through our normal channels of communication which they made use of in the past. It’s unfortunate to learn from the media that these are the allegations made by the two.”
Hamufungu said police are doing escorts as part of their legal obligation in terms of the law to protect life and property and they do this without looking at one’s colour, tribe, race, political inclination because it’s a statutory obligation trusted upon them by the Namibian nation.
“Nampol is guided solely by the legal instruments in its conduct and operations whenever and wherever we feel there is a potential threat for crime to occur we take preventative measures.
“Similarly where anyone makes themselves guilty by violating any of Namibia’s laws we effect arrest and we don’t ask for your political membership card. We arrest people for crimes they commit and not for who they are and that goes for the provision of escorts especially during this period of campaigning to those we feel might attract attacks or any other illegal hindrances,” Hamufungu said.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
NAMPOL has described last week’s statements by the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) that the security and law enforcement agencies require a complete overhaul because some police officers are partisan as very unfortunate.
Addressing a joint press conference last Thursday SPYL secretary, Dr Elijah Ngurare together with Evilastus Kaaronda, secretary general of NUNW said they bemoan the reactionary and individual tendencies of some police officers whose conduct is more political than doing the actual police work.
Ngurare said of late police resources were being wasted through meaningless escorts to some “political cry babies” everywhere.
“We cannot be fooled any longer that there is absolute impartiality in the police force. Put simply, the Police in the conduct of the forthcoming elections must be above board and do so with absolute impartiality and root out those bad elements in the Namibian Police who are tainting the good image of the Namibian Police. And we know them very well,” Ngurare said.
Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Hofni Hamufungu said although Ngurare’s statements might have been directed at individual police officers, this may not augur well with the public’s image of the police. Hamufungu said the police force has an open door policy whereby its Police Inspector General and all its members have granted audiences to anyone who feels they are aggrieved. “We would therefore expect the SPYL and NUNW to take recourse through our normal channels of communication which they made use of in the past. It’s unfortunate to learn from the media that these are the allegations made by the two.”
Hamufungu said police are doing escorts as part of their legal obligation in terms of the law to protect life and property and they do this without looking at one’s colour, tribe, race, political inclination because it’s a statutory obligation trusted upon them by the Namibian nation.
“Nampol is guided solely by the legal instruments in its conduct and operations whenever and wherever we feel there is a potential threat for crime to occur we take preventative measures.
“Similarly where anyone makes themselves guilty by violating any of Namibia’s laws we effect arrest and we don’t ask for your political membership card. We arrest people for crimes they commit and not for who they are and that goes for the provision of escorts especially during this period of campaigning to those we feel might attract attacks or any other illegal hindrances,” Hamufungu said.
RDP denies members’ defections to Swapo
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 26 November 2009
RALLY for Democracy and Progress Councilors for Tobias Hainyeko Constituency, Erasmus Kaptein Endjala and his wife Martha who were said to have defected to Swapo last week dismissed the claims saying they would never ever rejoin Swapo again.
Speaking at an RDP star rally on Saturday in Windhoek, Endjala and his wife, denied ever going back to Swapo as was alleged by Swapo.
“We will never ever go back to Swapo because the party doesn’t represent the interests of the majority,” Endjala said.
President Hidipo Hamutenya, who was the main speaker, described the ruling party’s parading of purported former RDP supporters at its rallies as hogwash.
Hamutenya said it was in fact the RDP which was attracting more former Swapo members at its rallies.
He said at their rallies in Outapi, RDP recorded 150 former Swapo members, in Opuwo 180 while in Gobabis there were 40.
“People are not defecting from RDP, people are in actual fact joining RDP from Swapo,” Hamutenya said.
He said there is a plan by Swapo to unveil a big number of supposed former RDP supporters at one of the party’s last rallies the election campaigns draw to an end.
“There is absolutely no such thing that our people are defecting to Swapo. This is designed to look as if people are defecting. We are confident about our popularity and our appeal as such.
“We don’t see why there is such a claim. RDP is a new party and there is no reason for people to defect. If, indeed, there are people defecting, then they were never RDP members but rather political hitchhikers,” Hamutenya said.
Hamutenya said the party currently has 390, 000 members on its database.
The Swapo party has been parading people purported to be former RDP members at some of its rallies across the country who had deserted the new party on the pretext that RDP had nothing concrete to offer the electorate, that the party is rocked by infighting, foot soldiers are being forced to campaign offering unrealistic promises and that the party had lost the hype it had when it was formed two years ago.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
RALLY for Democracy and Progress Councilors for Tobias Hainyeko Constituency, Erasmus Kaptein Endjala and his wife Martha who were said to have defected to Swapo last week dismissed the claims saying they would never ever rejoin Swapo again.
Speaking at an RDP star rally on Saturday in Windhoek, Endjala and his wife, denied ever going back to Swapo as was alleged by Swapo.
“We will never ever go back to Swapo because the party doesn’t represent the interests of the majority,” Endjala said.
President Hidipo Hamutenya, who was the main speaker, described the ruling party’s parading of purported former RDP supporters at its rallies as hogwash.
Hamutenya said it was in fact the RDP which was attracting more former Swapo members at its rallies.
He said at their rallies in Outapi, RDP recorded 150 former Swapo members, in Opuwo 180 while in Gobabis there were 40.
“People are not defecting from RDP, people are in actual fact joining RDP from Swapo,” Hamutenya said.
He said there is a plan by Swapo to unveil a big number of supposed former RDP supporters at one of the party’s last rallies the election campaigns draw to an end.
“There is absolutely no such thing that our people are defecting to Swapo. This is designed to look as if people are defecting. We are confident about our popularity and our appeal as such.
“We don’t see why there is such a claim. RDP is a new party and there is no reason for people to defect. If, indeed, there are people defecting, then they were never RDP members but rather political hitchhikers,” Hamutenya said.
Hamutenya said the party currently has 390, 000 members on its database.
The Swapo party has been parading people purported to be former RDP members at some of its rallies across the country who had deserted the new party on the pretext that RDP had nothing concrete to offer the electorate, that the party is rocked by infighting, foot soldiers are being forced to campaign offering unrealistic promises and that the party had lost the hype it had when it was formed two years ago.
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