EDITORIAL: When silence fuels suspicion in a democracy

For far too long, Namibians have become accustomed to political decisions being made in silence, with little or no explanation offered to the public whose lives those decisions ultimately affect.

This growing culture of opacity is slowly but steadily eroding trust in democratic governance.

A week ago, we highlighted the lack of clarity surrounding the removal of Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Joseph Shikongo from his position. The concern was not necessarily the decision itself, but the explanation to substantiate it.

Before that ink could dry, another example emerged. The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) withdrew Melody Swartbooi from her position as Keetmanshoop mayor, again without offering a public explanation. Once more, citizens were left to speculate, fill in the gaps, and draw their own conclusions.

In Keetmanshoop, frustration boiled over. Residents took to the streets demanding answers for the removal of their mayor. Matters escalated further over the weekend when party leader Bernadus Swartbooi was escorted by police to his vehicle during a meeting in Keetmanshoop, amid heightened emotions and agitation from party members angered by the unexplained decision. It was a stark illustration of what can happen when political decisions are made in secrecy and left to fester without explanation.

Citizens are no longer merely concerned about the decisions themselves, but about the manner in which those decisions are made and communicated - or not communicated at all.

Even where the removal or appointment of officials lies within the discretion of political leaders or party structures, there remains a democratic obligation to account to the public.

Democracy is not only about elections and mandates. It is also about transparency, accountability, and the constant effort to maintain public confidence in institutions. Without explanation, even legitimate decisions become suspect in the eyes of the public.