Swapo slams media and ‘disgruntled elements’

Staff Reporter
Swapo today slammed sections of the media and what it called “disgruntled elements” for attempting to whip up the emotions of the masses against the former liberation movement ahead of the national elections next month.
Party spokesperson Hilma Nicanor, in a sharp-tongued statement this afternoon, alleged there are concerted efforts to ensure that the party and its presidential candidate, President Hage Geingob, get reduced votes in the 27 November elections.
Both Geingob and the party recorded record votes in 2014 of 87% and 82%, respectively.
Nicanor was responding to the backlash the party attracted after it led a convoy of luxury vehicles and motorbikes to parts of Windhoek, including the informal settlements of Hakahana and Ombili in Katutura, last weekend.
Dubbed the ‘Swapo Colour Day’, the parade evoked mixed emotions, with critics saying that taking the luxury vehicle convoy to impoverished settlements was in bad taste.
Nicanor said the media deliberately distorted and misinterpreted the event to appear as though the ruling party was taunting the city’s less fortunate residents, when this was in fact to “entice the members, supporters and sympathisers” to get ready for the launch of the party election manifesto.
“We know that the aim of these elements is to cause a reduction in the number of seats that the party should get in the National Assembly, as well as the reduction of the number of votes for our presidential candidate,” said Nicanor, who is the deputy minister for veteran affairs.