MEDIA BRIEFING

INCIDENTS OF PROVOCATION AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION

NSHR presents its New Year compliments to all the media practitioners.

On January 17 2008 we issued a Press Release in which we have expressed concern over possible incidents violence and political intolerance in connection with the two rallies by the two main rival parties, viz. the SWAPO Party and Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), at the newly proclaimed town of Omuthiya.

Specifically, we were very worried about the prospects of acts of violence following the surprise announcement by the SWAPO Party that, like RDP, they were also held a rally at Omuthiya. This is why we assembled a team of twelve human rights defenders to monitor the situation at Omuthiya.

We convened this media conference to share our findings with you, and through you, with the general public. As you would see on video, our team observed an alleged state security agent, a certain Katoole, operating from the Ongwediva offices of our State Security Agency. This gentleman was apparently deeply involved either instigating and or coordinating provocation directed against RDP supporters by SWAPO Party supporters. If, indeed, he is a member of the Namibian Central Intelligence Service (NCIS) as alleged, then he conducted himself in dishonorable and disgraceful manner. He was seen driving a white Toyota WTI vehicle registration number N 10639 SH.

We have also monitored how an alleged SWAPO Party activist, known as Kolele, physically attacked RDP supporters. For example, he grabbed an RDP T-shirt from RDP supporters, which he dragged in the mud. Kolele is said to be a resident of Indongo ya Keelu village, some 10 kilometers south of Omuthiya. He is an unemployed ex-PLAN combatant.

We have also observed between 19h30 and 20h30 how SWAPO Party members persistently provoked RDP members along the Tsumeb-Ondangwa highway.

At Okapuku, Onankali and Onyaanya villages, pedestrian SWAPO Party supporters, shouting obscenities and other epithets, attempted to impede the movements of RDP supporters returning from their rally at Omuthiya. Violent incidents of stone throwing as well as illegal road blocks by SWAPO supporters also occurred at Onathinge, Onethindi (next Viva Tangeni cuca shop) and Oluno, some 20, 5 and 2 kilometers, respectively, east of Ondangwa. Had it not been for members of the Namibian police who intervened timely, by removing the illegal road blocks, these incidents of provocation by SWAPO Party members could have resulted in violent clashes between the two parties.

At ABC in Oluno, Ms. Priscila Kambonde (60) was stoned in the chest as she was disembarking from an RDP vehicle. This incident occurred at approximately 20h00.

We have also observed with concern how state resources, such as State vehicles, were being abused to coordinate the partisan political activities of campaign of the SWAPO Party. State vehicles with the following registration numbers: GRN 3863 (a white Toyota WTI); GRN 80625 (a white Toyota Prado); GRN 3807 (a white Nissan Navara) and GRN 3823 (a white Nissan Navara), were seen taking part in the SWAPO Party demonstrations at the town.

We would like to congratulate the Namibian Police for their professional conduct in maintaining land and order.

I thank you.