Covid only for the poor - APP
Covid only for the poor - APP

Covid only for the poor - APP

Herma Prinsloo
KENYA KAMBOWE

RUNDU

All People’s Party (APP) secretary-general Vincent Kanyetu has questioned whether Covid-19 regulations are only applicable to the poor.

He argues that the party has observed a total disregard of these protocols at events involving highly placed officials and at the funerals of former key countrymen.

Kanyetu, who was speaking at a press conference in Rundu, said the government should not take the poor for a ride as they might revolt because of what they see happening, especially at state funerals.

He said there was no justification why certain events are attended by more than 10 people in contravention of the Covid-19 regulations.

State funerals

“From the look of things, if you are poor you have to adhere to the Covid-19 protocol but if you are an honourable, a comrade or a well-connected somebody, you don’t comply,” Kanyetu said.

“We see what is happening [at] state funerals. The brass band is already more than 10 people. What about the people accompanying the widow and the family? So, the state funerals are attended by more than 10 people and nothing is wrong but ordinary people who are our relatives have to be buried by 10 people. How do we justify that?” he said.

“Covid-19 is real, we see how people are dying around Namibia, so if the leaders of this country say that ordinary people can gather in a number of 10 and us above the law can gather as many as we wish, one day the poor will start speaking for themselves and do as they wish as well.”

Stop it

Kanyetu said the matter should be clarified.

He pointed a finger at President Hage Geingob, saying that the head of state is the one according state funerals to those seen as fallen heroes and heroines.

“We cannot be a nation that sets up regulations for a certain class of citizens. We have to choose whether we want to live with the artificial protocol or we have to go back to our normal way of life and continue to lose lives on a daily basis, which is going to affect us as a nation and affect the economy, so President Geingob and the cabinet ministers should tell the nation that the protocol which they always announce to the people are for the poor people and not for you, your friends, your party’s people and former comrades,” Kanyetu added.

Kanyetu’s remarks follow the funeral of Ovaherero Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukuro at Okahandja last weekend, which was attended by a large crowd of people.

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Namibian Sun 2024-04-26

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