Stefanus Nashama
The Landless People’s Movement has distanced itself from the group of Keetmanshoop residents that held a protest to demand the removal of Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency Councillor Joseph Isaack on Wednesday while claiming to be members of the party.
The party’s National Spokesperson, Lifalaza Simataa, yesterday told the Windhoek Observer that LPM does not have any knowledge of the group protesting against Councillor Isaack.
“Therefore, the party is not in support of such a protest,” Simataa said.
He said that the protesters acted in their own private capacity without the support, acknowledgement and permission of the party and any of its branches.
“LPM members did not hold the protest, therefore, the party distances itself from such protest,” he said.
Simataa also indicated that on 9 May, LPM wrote a letter informing the //Karas Police about the fake protests organized using the party symbols and identity.
In a letter written to Commissioner Johannes Tsuseb, the LPM stated: “We as the Landless People’s Movement have become aware through social media posts of an alleged protest under the banner of the Landless People’s Movement, scheduled for Thursday 11 May 2023, from Universal Church Corner to Keetmashoop Urban Constituency office. We distance ourselves from such protest and it should be considered void by the Namibian Police, the letter further reads.”
The protesters accused Isaack of failing to bring much-needed socio-economic development, therefore calling for his resignation, and failure to do so, they will call for the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, to order him to vacate the office or be recalled by his party
Vernon Coleman, who was recently expelled from LPM handed over a petition to Isaack in which the protestors complained about the absence of a functional Constituency Development Committee, which coordinates all social and economic development efforts in the constituency.
“As Chairperson, Isaack has failed to create regular platforms for interaction with various departments of government. There is therefore no coordination of development planning. The Councillor is always absent from public meetings where dignitaries are discussing important issues affecting the masses. There is also no relationship with the regional governor, who is the political head of the region according to the Constitution of the Republic.” Coleman stated.
The protesters also alleged that Isaack, as Chairperson of the //Kharas Regional Council was costing the government millions of dollars by agreeing to place the region’s CRO on suspension with full pay and without a disciplinary hearing for the past two years.
In response, Isaack said he is working under the contract of five years as a Regional Councillor in the constituency, and he cannot resign at the wish of the protesters.
“There is no subjective opinion from me to resign. I will serve my position until it is finished or until my president says it is now enough,” he said.
Isaack assured the protestors that he would respond to their concerns in writing without giving a timeframe.
Meanwhile, another group of members dressed in LPM regalia, who opposed the protest, also stood in front of the constituency office in support of the Regional Councillor.
Smataa said those were LPM members just trying to incite and indicate that the protesters who claimed to be LPM while calling for Isaack’s resignation were not members of the party.
