allAfrica.com: Namibia: Angula in No-Nonsense Mood (Page 1 of 1)

Prime Minister Nahas Angula has sent a stern warning to former Koevoet and South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) members that their recent threats to physically attack Minister of Veterans Affairs, Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, will be dealt with severely if carried out.

"They will regret it," Angula said.

Speaking during the 48th anniversary of the founding of Swapo Party in Windhoek at the party's headquarters on Saturday, Angula said if those behind the threats carry them out, the Swapo Party would act to ensure they are punished for the crime.

"They should know that we know them. If they start to threaten the ministers, then they threaten Swapo and the Government of the Republic of Namibia."

The former members are allegedly unhappy for not being included as beneficiaries in money that will accrue to liberation veterans. The Veterans Act that was recently debated and passed in Parliament makes a provision for people who fought for the country's liberation to receive a monthly allowance of N$2000.

"We know where they meet at Herero Mall." Angula said the country enjoys 18 years of peace and stability and any person who wants to disturb peace will be dealt with accordingly. He said Swapo Party also wants to shame those that sided with the enemies and who made the struggle longer.

"There were some Koe-voets, SWATF and spies who allowed themselves to be used by the enemies and they must bow their heads in shame. The struggle was long and bitter because some sided with the enemy that committed heinous crimes. Some opted for short-term gains."

Angula said the Swapo Party declared a policy of national reconciliation in order to turn a new page. He said the Ministry of Veterans Affairs was created to give political leadership to the needs of those who lost opportunities.

"During the struggle, we lost many compatriots who on the other hand lost property and time in terms of opportunities. The Government's decision was to give attention to them that spent years in the bush. The Koevoets were here at home. They never lost land, they never lost limbs, they never lost their homes and they were never split from their families. The nation should understand that because of them (the liberation veterans) we have a national flag, a judiciary, peace and stability, so let's understand their plight, for establishing that ministry, we owe it to them."

Angula said it is important to look into the future. Founding Father, Sam Nujoma, has retired and has done his best, Angula said.

"It is you and me who must build the future, if we can unite and work hard.

But there is a tendency among members of the party to show signs of opportunism. They want to run before performing any task. Let the party recognise their contribution. Don't try to be an opportunist. Regionalism, tribalism and nepotism will result in more division. Let us give jobs to the ones that are capable of doing them. There were those that were entrusted with the responsibility but they failed dismally. We must uphold the principles of fairness," the Premier urged.

He said the widespread poverty and high level of unemployment must not be used to mobilise the people along tribal basis, with empty promises, adding that some political parties are doing just that.

"They should be honest that we have challenges - the price increases in food commodities and the rocketing fuel prices are currently ravaging the nation.

The Government is thinking of ways to bring solutions especially for the elderly, the unemployed and the poor. Just give the Government some time and we will come up with a plan. If we stand together as a nation, we should overcome these challenges under the umbrella of the mighty Swapo," Angula said.

Calling on party members to rededicate themselves to Namibia as a country and to the Swapo Party, Angula said 48 years is a long time. He also enlightened the youth on how the Swapo Party came about. He said the liberation struggle started around 1929 under difficult circumstances.

"The people were disorganised then. It was only after 1960 when apartheid South Africa wanted to declare Namibia as a fifth province that organised resistance was launched. The first attempt of petitioning was lost and Swapo had no choice but to stage the armed liberation struggle. If it had won that petition, a lot of lives could have been saved," he said.

The struggle apparently started with a battalion of 18 guerrillas who were quite determined. "They deployed landmines and carried out many ambushes."

The spirit, however, was kept high as Swapo again got the opportunity to petition against occupation. Eventually the United Nations decided that the mandate given to South Africa by the League of Nations was no longer valid and that South Africa was ruling Namibia illegally.

At home, Herman Andimba Toivo ya Toivo and Johnny ya Otto continued to mobilise the people that put the country on the world map. He said the Swapo Party is the only liberation movement that operated like a government.

In exile, they created different departments that dealt with health, education, mobilisation and information affairs. The leadership, he said, guided the struggle until the "Battle of Cuito Canavale delivered the final blow to apartheid".

March 21, 1990 saw the birth of a new nation.

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