Namvet threats treasonous

Namvet threats treasonousChief of police warns former soldiers Namibian police chief Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga has warned the newly established Namvet Liberation Movement to desist from making threats of violence. Threats by former South-West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) and Koevoet members to spill blood if their demands are not met are tantamount to treason, the Namibian police chief Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga has said.

More than 30 former members of the Namibia War Veterans' Trust (Namvet) have now formed the Namvet Liberation Movement and on Monday met in Windhoek, where they made the threats. Their demands include being recognised as war veterans, which would amongst others mean they are entitled to pensions. Ndeitunga said the police “will not tolerate any nonsense” from the group.

“They are playing with us. How can someone in a democratic system say they want to take up arms? Do you think the Namibian people will close their hands and tolerate that nonsense?” he asked.

The police chief said they will not be threatened, adding that there are other avenues including the courts that the group can resort to instead of violence.

“I hope those people come to their senses. They should choose their words carefully when talking to the media,” he said. Ndeitunga went on to say taking up arms against the State is treasonous.

“It is treason and will be treated with the force it deserves”.

Meanwhile, the former Koevoet and SWATF members claimed that they have exhausted all legal and diplomatic avenues. Disgruntled group members carrying sticks, knobkieries and pangas convened near the UN Plaza in Katutura on Monday, with the message “Matutu ama turu” (Otjiherero for 'we will die fighting') dominating their talk.

Namvet Liberation Movement spokesperson Uondaja Koruhama vowed that they are prepared to shed blood.

“We have followed the legal route, but it is non-existent. What is here is a law of discrimination,” he said.

Koruhama charged that they have been side-lined and are excluded from the Namibian house.

“Let the South Africans and Americans hear that we are still on top of trees [suffering], hungry and thirsty in this so called independent country,” he said. He went on to say if the police approach them peacefully, they will respond with peace.

“If they come with war, we will kill each other,” he added.

NAMPA