Staff Writer
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) on Monday laid charges against the ruling Swapo Party for violating national lockdown regulations when it hosted a party to mark its 60th anniversary.
The birthday party which was attended by current President Hage Geingob, Founding President Sam Nujoma and Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba among others has been condemned by the opposition party amid concern the action of the ruling party violated set down lock down regulations against gatherings.
“How do you go against your own regulations as a party and government, and expect the citizens to adhere to the regulations. They contravened the lockdown regulations and it’s on this basis that we opened the case,” PDM Secretary General, Manuel Ngaringombe said.
“They contravened the regulations and someone, in some way has to hold the ruling party into account as we are representing the interest of the ordinary citizens.”
Asked if the Police have committed to carrying out an investigation after the case was opened, “the Police said they will investigate. We hope the matter will receive the urgency that the mater deserves. Imagine it took us five hours to open the case, what about an ordinary citizen,” Ngaringombe said.
This comes as the country is in its third week of lockdown as part of government efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus after extending the country’s lockdown by 18 days, with over 40 people having been arrested by the police for violating the lockdown regulations according to the police.
The decision to extend the lockdown was announced by President Hage Geingob last week after he noted that the coronavirus posed a threat to the lives of Namibians.
Namibia still has 16 confirmed coronavirus cases, with six reported recoveries and no fatalities.
52 African countries have reported cases of COVID-19. The continent has reported close to 11,000 COVID-19 cases, with over 500 deaths. Over 1,000 people have recovered.
