Democracy And Social Progress

The recent revelations in the local media that Honorable Marco Hausiku, the Deputy Prime Minister, had stolen cattle of a poor woman is a serious issue that needs serious action from the President of the country and the entire Namibian Cabinet if they were to prove that they are worthy their status.

Honorable Marco Hausiku is not only a Deputy Prime Minister, but he is also reported as aspiring to be the next head of state of our country. This, indeed, makes it even more serious.  On our part, the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) has repeatedly stated that the SWAPO Party leadership has lost vision, direction and purpose.  Instead of leading the nation to greater heights, its leaders are busy concentrating and promoting corruption.  They are not only stealing the public resources: GIPF; N$1.8 billion, SSC; N$30 million, ODC; N$100 million, to mention but a few, but are now also stealing from the poorest of the poor, like in this case of Honorable Marco Hausiku.

His reported defense that he has not re branded the stolen bull is completely irrelevant and must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.  The main issue in this case is that, he has castrated a bull which he knows is not his.  There can be no justification whatsoever, for anyone to castrate an animal that is not his / hers.  The time and energy he used to castrate the bull and to cut its horns could have been better used to drive those cattle out of his farm.  Honorable Marco Hausiku’s action in this case is a clear demonstration that his intention was none other than stealing.

Stock theft in Namibia is a serious criminal case and if Honorable Marco Hausiku was a poor citizen, we know that the SWAPO Party-led government would not have wasted their time to dismiss and / or arrest him.  It is indeed immoral that the poor woman who lost her animals is now being intimidated through legal actions against her by the powerful government official and ultimately be forced to retract the steps she has taken against the Deputy Prime Minister.

This incident of Honorable Marco Hausiku, in addition to many others, and in particular, the incident of Safety and Security Ministry of promoting officials on the basis of false qualifications, is a challenge to the leadership of President Pohamba who vowed to fight corruption head-on.  What legacy will President Pohamba leave behind?

The RDP is calling upon the Namibian community to open their eyes and see what the SWAPO Party leaders are, and seriously begin to exercise their democratic rights of choosing honest, ethical, credible and compassionate leaders to propel this nation to greater heights.

Together We Can Do Better!

By:       Nghiningilwandubo Kashume

           RDP Deputy Secretary for Information and Publicity