Zambezi Police Chief Urges Political Tolerance Amidst Rising Tensions
Katima Mulilo - In a recent interview, Zambezi Police regional commander, Commissioner Andreas Shilelo, has called for calm and tolerance among political parties and their supporters as the political campaign season intensifies ahead of the upcoming regional and local authority elections.
The upcoming 2025 Regional Councils and Local Authorities Elections in Namibia, scheduled for November 26, have sparked concerns about potential political violence. However, Commissioner Shilelo emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the region during the political campaigns leading up to the election period.
Despite the potential for conflict, the Zambezi region has only recorded one incident of political violence so far, which recently went viral on social media. The altercation involved supporters of the Swapo party and those aligned with an independent candidate for the Linyanti Constituency.
According to Shilelo, the clash erupted when a group of Swapo supporters, traveling in a truck to host a meeting in Linyanti, were confronted by a woman who questioned their presence on her premises. The woman was reportedly attacked and assaulted after asking who had given them permission to use the premises.
A case of assault has been opened at the Sangwali Police Station, and investigations are underway. Commissioner Shilelo stated that those involved in the assault will be arrested, and video clips circulating on social media will assist police in identifying the suspects.
Law enforcement remains on high alert, actively monitoring the political atmosphere in the region. A team of officers has been dispatched to engage community elders in Linyanti to help calm tensions and promote peaceful coexistence.
Training sessions for police officers participating in election duties are also being prepared to ensure they are well-equipped to handle election-related matters professionally. The media will be invited to these sessions, and political leaders will be engaged to emphasize the need for peaceful campaigns.
Addressing both political candidates and their supporters, Commissioner Shilelo urged everyone to exercise restraint and respect during campaigns. He likened politics to a game of cards, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the process without resorting to violence.
Shilelo also highlighted the police's commitment to acting swiftly to prevent any further incidents of political intolerance. Peace and stability in the Zambezi region are their priority, and they will ensure that anyone engaging in violence faces the law.
Despite describing the Linyanti incident as 'unfortunate', Commissioner Shilelo reiterated his commitment to maintaining order as election activities continue. He emphasized the need for all campaigns to be conducted peacefully, without intimidation or violence, and called on citizens to protect their democracy by respecting one another.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced the distribution of election materials, which began on November 17, and the training of polling officials, which will take place between November 7 and 15. The deployment of polling teams will start from November 23 to 25.
The ECN received over 1.8 million ballot papers for regional council elections and 920,400 for local authority elections nationwide.
