Thread: RDP campaigners assaulted

Two Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) campaigners have allegedly been assaulted by a mob of ruling Swapo Party supporters this morning. Festus Ezra (22) and Lucia “Katusha” Nangolo (26), both from Ondobe village in the Ohangwena Region, were allegedly assaulted in the bush while on a house-to-house campaign. The incident occurred at approximately 11h00 at Oshaango village, some 15 kilometers south of Eenhana, human rights election monitors reported this afternoon.

During an interview with human rights defenders Ezra and Nangolo said that a certain Kapembe instigated their attackers. They described Kapembe as “a Swapo Party businessman, who drives a 2.7 white Toyota 4 x 4” LDV. He allegedly hails from Onanona village in the Ongula ya Netanga area.

Ezra sustained back injuries inflicted with a makalani palm branch, while Nangolo’s right arm is badly swollen after being beaten with a dry stick by a male attacker. Ezra and Nangolo told human rights monitors that they have laid charges of assault against their assailants at the Eenhana Police precinct.

Reached by his mobile for his ‘side of the story’, Joseph Kapembe (33), who said he was “a staunch” Swapo Party activist in the area, categorically denied the allegations. He, however, said that “RADOPA” (i.e. derogatory reference to RDP) was not welcome in the area as “they have no supporters here because this is Swapo Party country”. They should have first obtained permission from a local Swapo Party coordinator, he added. Kapembe told NSHR that he hails from Oshuulu village in the Omulonga Constituency in the Ohangwena Region.

Kapembe also alleged that RDP members had also assaulted a certain Peter Iyambo of Oshaango village and that Iyambo was taken to Eenhana Hospital from medical treatment.

Electoral violence and intimidation in any form are strictly prohibited in terms of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties read in conjunction with Section 43(2) of the Electoral Act 1992 (Act 24 of 1992), as amended.

In case of additional comment, please call Steven Mvula or Phil ya Nangoloh at Tel: 061 236 183 or 061 253 447 (office hours) or Cell: +264 811 299 886 (Phil) or E-mail: nshr@nshr.org.na or visit: Namibia's National Human Rights Organisation