Land conference weapons unacceptable - Ndeitunga

The police chief, Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, yesterday praised the work of his officers at the second national land conference, where close to 50 weapons ranging from a shotgun to knives were confiscated.Ndeitunga said 14 pistols, one hunting rifle, a shotgun, two pangas, 26 knives, three traditional knives and one can of pepper spray were intercepted during last week's five-day conference.He warned that those carrying weapons to the next peaceful public gathering would not get their weapons back.“This is unacceptable. It is incomprehensible for people to go to a conference armed, especially with high-profile dignitaries in attendance. We are not saying they had any intention of doing anything, but we simply cannot allow this.”Ndeitunga praised the police officers for their “duty and vigilance” and said they should continue their hard work. The licensed firearms were kept for the duration of the conference and returned to their owners after the event. One firearm was found to be unlicensed and was not returned. Ndeitunga said the intentions of these weapon-carrying participants were not known.“In this respect, we would like to inform the nation that at any event, assembly or gathering, no weapons are allowed to be carried or possessed by public members,” he cautioned. Be respectful Ndeitunga took further aim at what he described as disrespectful behaviour, including hate speech and insults, by some participants in a protest against the land conference at the start of proceedings last week.“This is not acceptable in a democracy. You are allowed to criticise leaders and the system, but do it responsibly. Being a law-abiding citizen means you are accountable and respectful. Democracy does not mean chaos, it does not mean anarchy.”He emphasised that he is not against “people criticising those they voted into power, but we should do it in a constructive and respectful and educative way”.He said some of the 100 demonstrators used the peaceful occasion as a platform to incite hate speech and insult leaders and elders.“We know people are frustrated, but we should use public platforms in a responsible way. Because when you are a public figure, how you articulate yourself on the issues needs to be done responsibly. You are listened to by children, by university students, who are going to be our leaders of tomorrow.”The demonstration was led and attended by various pressure groups, political parties and leaders and civil society organisations, who dismissed the land conference as a sham. Ndeitunga said criticism of leaders is part and parcel of democracy, but added that such criticism comes with responsibility and accountability.“It should be in the interest of the nation and of people, and not based on individual interests. It should educate people.” Public menaceNdeitunga also warned the so-called struggle kids to stop blocking roads with stones or throwing them at motorists, who he said are not linked to their issues.“They are causing an inconvenience to people who have nothing to do with their problems. This is unacceptable. We are not saying they don't have a genuine case or genuine problems, but don't take out your frustrations on people who have nothing to do with those frustrations.”Ndeitunga emphasised that the group should address their problems in a responsible way, and immediately stop putting the lives of others in danger. He said the police have repeatedly warned the group and are continuously removing individuals or rocks from roads, but it cannot continue. He said complaints are increasingly pouring into police quarters from residents of the Brakwater area, who have reported harassment, rocks in the road and fires allegedly started by the struggle kids. JANA-MARI SMITH

Land conference weapons unacceptable - Ndeitunga

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-15

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Land conference weapons unacceptable - Ndeitunga

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-15

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