Presidential Affairs Minister and Attorney General , Dr. Albert Kawana
STAFF REPORTER
PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS Minister and Attorney General, Dr. Albert Kawana has dismissed the petitioning of the Caprivi Concerned Group dismissing them as failed politicians.
“Although my office did not receive the petition but I would like to tell you that these petitions coming from the Caprivi region which is my home anyway are coming from those failed politicians.
PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS Minister and Attorney General, Dr. Albert Kawana has dismissed the petitioning of the Caprivi Concerned Group dismissing them as failed politicians.
“Although my office did not receive the petition but I would like to tell you that these petitions coming from the Caprivi region which is my home anyway are coming from those failed politicians.
With regards to the issue of development in the region, Caprivi region received the highest per capita allocations and would like to dismiss the petition with the contempt it deserve,” said Kawana.
Following their protest march on 23 March 2010, a group consisting of civic organizations, political parties and residents in Katima Mulilo has once again given the government of the Republic of Namibia and other embassies of the governments that colonized the Caprivi Strip another ultimatum of 60 days. The ultimatum comes after the first petition, which was handed over to the relevant authorities failed to materialize.
In the first petition, they demanded that their concerns be addressed to the Embassies of the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom, South Africa, United Nations residence in Namibia and the Government of Namibia.
The group consisting of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Katima Development Association (KADA), RDP and other concerned Katima Mulilo residents are of the opinion that their first petition was downplayed by the Caprivi Regional Governor, Leonard Mwilima. They are appealing and calling for a peaceful dialogue for the Caprivi region.
“Namibia is a unitary state and everything is done transparently and I would like to underline the word “unitary” for the group to understand it. My government works through the central, regional, local, the traditional authority level up to the Villages Development Committees (VDCs). Is that not transparency in terms of development? In all these structures, we have committees which coordinate development and all Governors are at regional level in terms of development in the thirteen regions,” Dr Kawana said.
He explained that all these structures are coordinated by the National Planning Commission. About the issue of tribalism, the Minister dismissed these allegations and said these concerns were rubbish, and were coming from failed politicians and their petition is politically motivated.
“How can they petition the United Nations and other embassies when their government is here? You see, again I will dismiss that with the contempt it deserves. In Namibia, we have a status for an open platform and all these are enshrined in the constitution,” he said
On the issue of CANU, Dr Kawana dismissed allegations that the SWAPO party swallowed CANU. Most importantly, the group is appealing for a peaceful dialogue on the Caprivi issue between the Caprivi African National Union (CANU) and SWAPO in Lusaka(Zambia) when the two parties merged.
Some of the issues they are asking to be addressed include the long awaited Caprivi Secessionist Trial, high rate of unemployment, high rate of crime, inadequate public service delivery, lack of consultations on matter affecting them, tribalism in the region, poor infrastructure and high rate of HIV/AIDS which is now at 43%. They are also concerned that certain traditional leaders were becoming politicians at the expense of villagers among their other concerns.
“It was in 1964 in the liberation struggle that my homeboy, the late comrade Brendan Simbwaye who was the leader then with other veterans like Greenwell Matongo agreed to fight for the same cause hence the merger of the two parties, CANU and SWAPO. It is utter nonsense and they are the same people who called for that unity between parties. CANU was not swallowed as they are alleging rather they are confused as failed politicians and should go back to history,” Dr Kawana shrugged.
“We requested all responsible authorities to respond within a given period of 60 days, which they failed to respond to this date. We, as a concerned group are strongly calling the above authorities to dialogue most of the issues mentioned and stipulated in our petition. In order to resolve the pending issues affecting the Caprivi (people), it is important to come around the table to seek for a solution as country men, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers,” said Mr. Martin Lukato, the President of National Democratic Party and Chairperson of the Concerned group
However, he accused the Caprivi Regional Governor, Leonard Mwilima and other authorities of not taking the petition seriously.
Asked by the Caprivi Vision on why the concerned group is lacking to identify a positive platform and channel of communication with regards to petitioning, Mr. Martin Lukato said that the platform for communication is a hindrance because the Caprivi region itself is divided and therefore people are afraid to come out openly because of SWAPO party intimidation tactics.
“We have a platform but the reasons why sometimes it becomes difficult is because of SWAPO party which has played a divide and rule tactic. Caprivi region was united before SWAPO came in and it is at this point in time that we call for dialogue for peace, development, progress, unity, democracy, prosperity and people’s rights and this is the right time for our region and indeed the entire nation”.
“The Namibian nation should not pretend as if Caprivi region does not have problems. The region needs progress, prosperity to meet the requirements of the Vision 2030,” he said
They are also demanding that the Caprivi region be treated equally when it comes to development as compared to other regions in the country.
He also called on church, civil society organizations and the international community to support the call for Caprivi peaceful dialogue. They alleged that their first petition of 23rd March 2010 was down played and hoped that their second petition of 4th August will be responded to accordingly and assure the nation that they will not rest until a solution is found and expect issues raised in the second petition to be addressed.
However, the Caprivi Regional Governor, Hon Leonard Mwilima dismissed these allegations that he downplayed the concerned group’s petition but acknowledged receipt of their petition.
“I did not downplay their petition but I have forwarded the petition to all addressed organizations and embassies as requested. How can I downplay them? Just some few weeks ago, the Chairperson came to my office and I told him that when he petitions to different stakeholders my task is to push the papers and wait. Issues, which involve the Governor’s office, I have responded to them already. We have structures such as Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the rural areas, these structures are in place, and that is how we consult. These are structures, which are in existence. What kind of consultations do they want? I have honorable councillors in these communities and they hold meetings for that matter. I have an open door policy and up to now I’m still waiting for them,” he lambasted
“Look! This group is petitioning the SWAPO government. I represent the SWAPO party and not only SWAPO but the state and President himself and if they say SWAPO party government, they will be insulting me directly. I invited them to come and if there is something that I can’t solve in this region, then, I will forward these issues to my superiors,” he said.
The Hon. Governor said the petition to United Nations was directed at the High Treason Court case, which has taken ten years and explained to the Caprivi Vision that the issue is in the hands of the judiciary therefore his office has no power and would not interfere in the case.
“We have an independent judiciary in Namibia and my office has no jurisdiction on that and will not interfere. Why talk things, which are in the hands of the judiciary. I told my colleagues (concerned group) that some of their concerns, which involve government, do not need 60 days. Then, on some of these issues like South Africa High Commissioner, the British Ambassadors, Germany and others, I can tell you that my hands are tied therefore I can not respond.
“We will welcome them as long as we can talk about meaningful development for the region,” he further urged.
However, the concerned group shot back at the Governor’s comments saying that his days were numbered and he will be out of office after the forthcoming Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections.
“He knows that his days are numbered and will find himself being voted out in the forthcoming November elections,” said Roberts Sililo, a member of the concerned group. The Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections will be on 26th and 27th November this year.
ENDS
Following their protest march on 23 March 2010, a group consisting of civic organizations, political parties and residents in Katima Mulilo has once again given the government of the Republic of Namibia and other embassies of the governments that colonized the Caprivi Strip another ultimatum of 60 days. The ultimatum comes after the first petition, which was handed over to the relevant authorities failed to materialize.
In the first petition, they demanded that their concerns be addressed to the Embassies of the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom, South Africa, United Nations residence in Namibia and the Government of Namibia.
The group consisting of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Katima Development Association (KADA), RDP and other concerned Katima Mulilo residents are of the opinion that their first petition was downplayed by the Caprivi Regional Governor, Leonard Mwilima. They are appealing and calling for a peaceful dialogue for the Caprivi region.
“Namibia is a unitary state and everything is done transparently and I would like to underline the word “unitary” for the group to understand it. My government works through the central, regional, local, the traditional authority level up to the Villages Development Committees (VDCs). Is that not transparency in terms of development? In all these structures, we have committees which coordinate development and all Governors are at regional level in terms of development in the thirteen regions,” Dr Kawana said.
He explained that all these structures are coordinated by the National Planning Commission. About the issue of tribalism, the Minister dismissed these allegations and said these concerns were rubbish, and were coming from failed politicians and their petition is politically motivated.
“How can they petition the United Nations and other embassies when their government is here? You see, again I will dismiss that with the contempt it deserves. In Namibia, we have a status for an open platform and all these are enshrined in the constitution,” he said
On the issue of CANU, Dr Kawana dismissed allegations that the SWAPO party swallowed CANU. Most importantly, the group is appealing for a peaceful dialogue on the Caprivi issue between the Caprivi African National Union (CANU) and SWAPO in Lusaka(Zambia) when the two parties merged.
Some of the issues they are asking to be addressed include the long awaited Caprivi Secessionist Trial, high rate of unemployment, high rate of crime, inadequate public service delivery, lack of consultations on matter affecting them, tribalism in the region, poor infrastructure and high rate of HIV/AIDS which is now at 43%. They are also concerned that certain traditional leaders were becoming politicians at the expense of villagers among their other concerns.
“It was in 1964 in the liberation struggle that my homeboy, the late comrade Brendan Simbwaye who was the leader then with other veterans like Greenwell Matongo agreed to fight for the same cause hence the merger of the two parties, CANU and SWAPO. It is utter nonsense and they are the same people who called for that unity between parties. CANU was not swallowed as they are alleging rather they are confused as failed politicians and should go back to history,” Dr Kawana shrugged.
“We requested all responsible authorities to respond within a given period of 60 days, which they failed to respond to this date. We, as a concerned group are strongly calling the above authorities to dialogue most of the issues mentioned and stipulated in our petition. In order to resolve the pending issues affecting the Caprivi (people), it is important to come around the table to seek for a solution as country men, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers,” said Mr. Martin Lukato, the President of National Democratic Party and Chairperson of the Concerned group
However, he accused the Caprivi Regional Governor, Leonard Mwilima and other authorities of not taking the petition seriously.
Asked by the Caprivi Vision on why the concerned group is lacking to identify a positive platform and channel of communication with regards to petitioning, Mr. Martin Lukato said that the platform for communication is a hindrance because the Caprivi region itself is divided and therefore people are afraid to come out openly because of SWAPO party intimidation tactics.
“We have a platform but the reasons why sometimes it becomes difficult is because of SWAPO party which has played a divide and rule tactic. Caprivi region was united before SWAPO came in and it is at this point in time that we call for dialogue for peace, development, progress, unity, democracy, prosperity and people’s rights and this is the right time for our region and indeed the entire nation”.
“The Namibian nation should not pretend as if Caprivi region does not have problems. The region needs progress, prosperity to meet the requirements of the Vision 2030,” he said
They are also demanding that the Caprivi region be treated equally when it comes to development as compared to other regions in the country.
He also called on church, civil society organizations and the international community to support the call for Caprivi peaceful dialogue. They alleged that their first petition of 23rd March 2010 was down played and hoped that their second petition of 4th August will be responded to accordingly and assure the nation that they will not rest until a solution is found and expect issues raised in the second petition to be addressed.
However, the Caprivi Regional Governor, Hon Leonard Mwilima dismissed these allegations that he downplayed the concerned group’s petition but acknowledged receipt of their petition.
“I did not downplay their petition but I have forwarded the petition to all addressed organizations and embassies as requested. How can I downplay them? Just some few weeks ago, the Chairperson came to my office and I told him that when he petitions to different stakeholders my task is to push the papers and wait. Issues, which involve the Governor’s office, I have responded to them already. We have structures such as Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the rural areas, these structures are in place, and that is how we consult. These are structures, which are in existence. What kind of consultations do they want? I have honorable councillors in these communities and they hold meetings for that matter. I have an open door policy and up to now I’m still waiting for them,” he lambasted
“Look! This group is petitioning the SWAPO government. I represent the SWAPO party and not only SWAPO but the state and President himself and if they say SWAPO party government, they will be insulting me directly. I invited them to come and if there is something that I can’t solve in this region, then, I will forward these issues to my superiors,” he said.
The Hon. Governor said the petition to United Nations was directed at the High Treason Court case, which has taken ten years and explained to the Caprivi Vision that the issue is in the hands of the judiciary therefore his office has no power and would not interfere in the case.
“We have an independent judiciary in Namibia and my office has no jurisdiction on that and will not interfere. Why talk things, which are in the hands of the judiciary. I told my colleagues (concerned group) that some of their concerns, which involve government, do not need 60 days. Then, on some of these issues like South Africa High Commissioner, the British Ambassadors, Germany and others, I can tell you that my hands are tied therefore I can not respond.
“We will welcome them as long as we can talk about meaningful development for the region,” he further urged.
However, the concerned group shot back at the Governor’s comments saying that his days were numbered and he will be out of office after the forthcoming Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections.
“He knows that his days are numbered and will find himself being voted out in the forthcoming November elections,” said Roberts Sililo, a member of the concerned group. The Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections will be on 26th and 27th November this year.
ENDS
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