Youth council weekend violence wastes N$2m, leaves 9 injured

The violent clashes that left nine young people injured and forced the suspension of National Youth Council (NYC) leadership elections on Saturday at Swakopmund may have wasted about N$2 million in taxpayers' money.

The violence broke out following disputes over delegate verification and the electoral process, leaving nine requiring medical treatment, prompting the resignation of the electoral committee and forcing the postponement of the election.

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) youth command leader Michael Mulunga said the collapse of the process was particularly concerning given the public funds already spent on the event.

"Taxpayers' money, equivalent to about N$2 million, has already been spent. Should these elections be called off, that means that our taxpayers' money will go to waste," he told Namibian Sun on Sunday.

A senior NYC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that approximately N$2 million had been spent on transporting delegates, accommodation, meals, venue costs and other logistical arrangements associated with the general assembly.

Mulunga added that the violence on display was deeply concerning and warned against political interference in the election process.

"We are concerned with what we have been seeing with the fights that are happening, which, according to what we are hearing, is a friction that is politically motivated, which we believe is very, very wrong," he said.

He stressed that young people should be allowed to choose their leaders freely and without intimidation.

"We believe that young people should determine their own future by electing a leader without being coerced or pressured to favour a certain candidate."

He urged authorities to ensure the election process is completed, noting that a previous general assembly had already been postponed.

"We can't afford to postpone this election, because a postponement was already done, I think, two years ago," he said.

'Hooliganism and intimidation'

Landless People's Movement (LPM) National Youth Spokesperson William Minnie said the violence had no place in a process intended to develop future leaders.

"We are deeply appalled and profoundly disappointed by the disturbing events," Minnie said yesterday.

"The conduct displayed by the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) once again raises serious concerns about its commitment to democratic principles, tolerance and the rule of law."

He said reports that electoral officials had been assaulted, delegates exposed to tear gas and several individuals hospitalised were "shocking and unacceptable".

"Violence, intimidation, and disorder have no place in any democratic process, particularly in spaces where young people are expected to engage in constructive political dialogue and leadership development," he said.

Minnie urged delegates to reject what he termed a culture of "hooliganism, intimidation and patronage politics" and instead embrace leadership based on ideas, integrity and accountability.

"We stand in solidarity with all those affected by these unfortunate events and call for accountability, restraint and a renewed commitment to democratic values," he added.

SPYL blamed

LPM Youth Command president Duminga Ndala, who was among those reportedly tear-gassed, said the events reflected the extent to which party politics had infiltrated an institution meant to advance youth development.

"There is a task to empower young people and to transform the material conditions of young people in the country," she said, adding: "But as it stands, it seems like party politics has taken over. This is why we find ourselves in this mess."

Ndala said the dispute centred on allegations of irregularities in the delegate list, although she argued those concerns should have been raised before the general assembly was formally constituted.

"What transpired is that members of the Swapo Party complained that there were irregularities in terms of the delegation list. But of course, they had an opportunity to erase these irregularities before we constituted the GA," she said.

According to Ndala, delegates had already completed verification procedures and adopted several reports before the disruptions occurred.

She further alleged that members of SPYL were central to the events.

"If there was any irregularity, they were supposed to raise it with the relevant authorities, which are the NYC staff members. But instead of that, they resorted to violence. They attacked the members of the Election Committee of Namibia," she claimed.

Allegations levelled against SPYL members could not be independently verified.

Ndala also questioned the use of tear gas, to which she and several others were exposed.

"After the commotion ended, tear gas was sprayed. We don't know whether it was the police or whether it was members from their side who sprayed the tear gas. We have seen that a lot of people were affected by that, including me," she said.

SPYL and the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) did not respond to questions by the time of publication.

Unresolved issues

The education ministry on Sunday confirmed that the injured delegates had been discharged from hospital, while education minister Sanet Steenkamp suspended the general assembly elections.

The ministry said concerns about compliance, delegate verification and adherence to the approved roadmap had been raised in a petition from affiliates and regional youth forums before the violence erupted.

According to the ministry, those issues remain unresolved and must be addressed before the general assembly can resume.

"The legitimacy of the general assembly depends on a lawful, transparent and credible process," the ministry said.

It added that the interim board and relevant structures would urgently address the outstanding issues and communicate timelines for the continuation of the assembly.