Martin Endjala
Gerrit Witbooi, formerly from the Landless People’s Movement, who is now running as an Independent Candidate has expressed concerns about his counterparts campaigning for the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency By-elections slated for the 15th of May 2023 for allegedly instigating the people not to vote for him.
“They are using my name, telling people not to vote for me. I am not happy about this at all. However, it is okay, let them do as they please because politics is just like that. I have already made peace with my people and I have told them what happened between me and my former party. That we kissed and made up and on the mutual understanding we both decided to go our ways, so last week I told the Keetmanshoop people that they must give me a chance and if they feel otherwise, then they can exercise that comes the voting day,” he said.
Despite the dark cloud that has been hovering around his head, Witbooi is positive that he has the backing of the community, given the trust and support they have shown him during tough times and now that he is campaigning, he has full trust in the people.
Witbooi made these comments in an interview with the Windhoek Observer, in light of the announcement made by the Electoral Commission of Namibia in its statement dated 17 April 2023 where it stated that the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency By-elections are in full swing.
A total of 6 675 registered voters for the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency by-election has so far been concluded and a total number of 60 polling officials will be recruited and trained from the eighth to the 12th of May 2023, which will also make up a team of six fixed and another six mobile teams, while on the fifth and sixth of May, election agents and police officials will also undergo training.
This comes after the expulsion of Witbooi from the Landless People’s Party and as stipulated by section 10 (3) of the Regional Council Act, a vacancy should only be filled within 90 days.
Witbooi is up against Eiman Johannes Frederick Jacobus of the Popular Democratic Movement, Kharuxas Elias of the Swapo Pary, Labuschagne Willem Petrus of the Landless Peoples’ Movement and Van Staden Magdalena of the Independent Patriots for Change.
The five candidates will be battling outcomes next month as they now embark on campaigns to gun for votes.
Witbooi has urged his counterparts to shy away from unorthodox tactics to achieve votes and to rather focus on convincing the electorates because they think they deserve it.
He is, however, hoping to emerge as a winner to continue with projects that are already in progress for the upliftment of the community. But should that not materialize, he will still continue fighting for the plight of the people.
