China was not the only friend
Political commentators have shot down the notion that China was Namibia's messiah while it was fighting for independence and believe that the government may be hiding something.
This follows a motion by United People's Movement parliamentarian Jan van Wyk, who questioned the involvement of Chinese-owned companies in the construction sector.
Chaos erupted in National Assembly this week when opposition parties accused the Swapo government of having sold itself to the Chinese government and therefore turning a blind eye to the exploitation of Namibian workers by Chinese companies.
Emotions ran so high that the Speaker, Peter Katjavivi, was forced to end the debate.
The motion was eventually rejected. Fourteen opposition MPs voted in favour of the motion, while 53 Swapo members voted against it. Swapo MP Bernadus Swartbooi abstained, saying “I am my own man.”
According to political commentator Phanuel Kaapama, the decision by the ruling party to close the debate without discussing the merits of the motion created the impression that they have something to hide.
“There are many friends [countries] who probably did much more than what China did during the liberation struggle, which we have done very little for or have forgotten,” he said.
Kaapama urged the Swapo government to play open cards with the nation and say why they feel they must protect Chinese interests.
“I think Namibia's protection of the Chinese has more to do with the elite's relationship in the global capitalist economy. China is doing a lot of business with Namibia and with some elite and I think they are protecting the economic interests of this elite and not so much paying China back for its assistance during the liberation struggle,” he said.
According to DTA president McHenry Venaani, Swapo Party MPs overwhelming voted against continuing the debate, which was “a clear admission” that Swapo is protecting the Chinese people.
“I am afraid a lot of our government officials are compromised. This motion is about the protection of our workers. They [Swapo] are talking about xenophobia when we talk about the Chinese, but why are they not so protective of other foreigners such as the Spaniards who are taking our people's jobs at sea?” he asked.
Venaani also urged the government to stop hiding the “truth” about alleged full-scale corruption at immigration offices, which according to him includes bribery of officials for work permits.
UPM's Van Wyk said the rejection of his motion was testimony to the government's tolerance of Chinese exploitation.
JEMIMA BEUKES
This follows a motion by United People's Movement parliamentarian Jan van Wyk, who questioned the involvement of Chinese-owned companies in the construction sector.
Chaos erupted in National Assembly this week when opposition parties accused the Swapo government of having sold itself to the Chinese government and therefore turning a blind eye to the exploitation of Namibian workers by Chinese companies.
Emotions ran so high that the Speaker, Peter Katjavivi, was forced to end the debate.
The motion was eventually rejected. Fourteen opposition MPs voted in favour of the motion, while 53 Swapo members voted against it. Swapo MP Bernadus Swartbooi abstained, saying “I am my own man.”
According to political commentator Phanuel Kaapama, the decision by the ruling party to close the debate without discussing the merits of the motion created the impression that they have something to hide.
“There are many friends [countries] who probably did much more than what China did during the liberation struggle, which we have done very little for or have forgotten,” he said.
Kaapama urged the Swapo government to play open cards with the nation and say why they feel they must protect Chinese interests.
“I think Namibia's protection of the Chinese has more to do with the elite's relationship in the global capitalist economy. China is doing a lot of business with Namibia and with some elite and I think they are protecting the economic interests of this elite and not so much paying China back for its assistance during the liberation struggle,” he said.
According to DTA president McHenry Venaani, Swapo Party MPs overwhelming voted against continuing the debate, which was “a clear admission” that Swapo is protecting the Chinese people.
“I am afraid a lot of our government officials are compromised. This motion is about the protection of our workers. They [Swapo] are talking about xenophobia when we talk about the Chinese, but why are they not so protective of other foreigners such as the Spaniards who are taking our people's jobs at sea?” he asked.
Venaani also urged the government to stop hiding the “truth” about alleged full-scale corruption at immigration offices, which according to him includes bribery of officials for work permits.
UPM's Van Wyk said the rejection of his motion was testimony to the government's tolerance of Chinese exploitation.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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