Swapo supports removal of red line, says Aupindi
Swapo member of parliament Tobie Aupindi says the red line makes no economic sense and that its removal has always been part of the ruling party’s policy.
Aupindi recently told Namibian Sun that his forefathers did not fight for independence to preserve apartheid-era laws that discriminate against people living north of the red line.
"It was never questionable whether the Swapo Party believes in removing the red line. Removing the red line has always been enshrined in our policy imperative to equalise economic imbalances," Aupindi argued.
He said the real question is whether those deployed to government by the Swapo Party should accelerate the implementation of its policies.
He added that the agriculture ministry had been instructed to facilitate the project several years ago.
"I agree with the Swapo secretary (Sophia Shaningwa) that we cannot sit back and allow the confiscation of people's meat at the gate, even the one for personal consumption," Aupindi said.
Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa said citizens continue to face mistreatment at various checkpoints, where their meat is confiscated and discarded in dustbins.
Aupindi questioned how red meat or a carcass could contribute to the spread of diseases such as anthrax or foot-and-mouth disease.
"The red line is the biggest economic fallacy. It's a financial form of slavery in independent Namibia. My parents went into exile to fight for our independence," Aupindi said.
Aupindi added that while he was not part of the previous leadership, he refuses to support an economic system that keeps some citizens in bondage.
Geingob's vision
The removal of the red line was one of the visions of late President Hage Geingob, who in 2018 advocated for its dismantling.
The red line serves as a physical and regulatory barrier, separating the northern communal areas from the southern commercial farming zones.
It was initially established during colonial times, primarily to prevent the spread of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease from the north to the south.
However, the fence has become contentious, with several key arguments against it.
A key concern is that farmers north of the red line face major barriers when trying to sell their livestock to the more lucrative southern and export markets due to veterinary restrictions. This results in lower prices for their cattle.
Additionally, meat intended for domestic consumption is not permitted to cross the red line from the north. Instead, it is discarded without undergoing any tests to determine if it is contaminated.
‘Embrace nationalism'
Three months ago, former Swapo secretary-general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana called for relocating the red line to Namibia's international borders, arguing that internal barriers should no longer divide citizens.
Iivula-Ithana highlighted the ongoing mistreatment of people at Oshivelo and other checkpoints, calling for urgent reforms. "Measures must be taken to improve how people are treated while still ensuring effective disease control," she said.
"As Namibians, we must embrace nationalism. If the government decides that a disease-control border should be established, it must remain public and not be privatised," she said.
She further noted that a barrier previously existed along the Namibia-Angola border to regulate livestock movements.
Political ploy
Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah this week argued that the sudden calls by senior Swapo leaders to remove the red line are a political ploy.
Kamwanyah said that it is likely an attempt to dilute the fight currently spearheaded by Affirmative Reposition (AR) leader Job Amupanda.
The Swapo-Ied government previously hired top lawyers to oppose Amupanda in court and maintain the red line.
Kamwanyah further said it appears hypocritical, given that Swapo has been in power for over 30 years and had many opportunities to address it earlier.
"It could be a case of populist politics, where they're trying to win public support by jumping on a popular issue," Kamwanyah said, adding that it might also be an attempt to take the spotlight away from Amupanda.
"Their sudden interest appears politically calculated rather than genuine."
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Aupindi recently told Namibian Sun that his forefathers did not fight for independence to preserve apartheid-era laws that discriminate against people living north of the red line.
"It was never questionable whether the Swapo Party believes in removing the red line. Removing the red line has always been enshrined in our policy imperative to equalise economic imbalances," Aupindi argued.
He said the real question is whether those deployed to government by the Swapo Party should accelerate the implementation of its policies.
He added that the agriculture ministry had been instructed to facilitate the project several years ago.
"I agree with the Swapo secretary (Sophia Shaningwa) that we cannot sit back and allow the confiscation of people's meat at the gate, even the one for personal consumption," Aupindi said.
Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa said citizens continue to face mistreatment at various checkpoints, where their meat is confiscated and discarded in dustbins.
Aupindi questioned how red meat or a carcass could contribute to the spread of diseases such as anthrax or foot-and-mouth disease.
"The red line is the biggest economic fallacy. It's a financial form of slavery in independent Namibia. My parents went into exile to fight for our independence," Aupindi said.
Aupindi added that while he was not part of the previous leadership, he refuses to support an economic system that keeps some citizens in bondage.
Geingob's vision
The removal of the red line was one of the visions of late President Hage Geingob, who in 2018 advocated for its dismantling.
The red line serves as a physical and regulatory barrier, separating the northern communal areas from the southern commercial farming zones.
It was initially established during colonial times, primarily to prevent the spread of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease from the north to the south.
However, the fence has become contentious, with several key arguments against it.
A key concern is that farmers north of the red line face major barriers when trying to sell their livestock to the more lucrative southern and export markets due to veterinary restrictions. This results in lower prices for their cattle.
Additionally, meat intended for domestic consumption is not permitted to cross the red line from the north. Instead, it is discarded without undergoing any tests to determine if it is contaminated.
‘Embrace nationalism'
Three months ago, former Swapo secretary-general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana called for relocating the red line to Namibia's international borders, arguing that internal barriers should no longer divide citizens.
Iivula-Ithana highlighted the ongoing mistreatment of people at Oshivelo and other checkpoints, calling for urgent reforms. "Measures must be taken to improve how people are treated while still ensuring effective disease control," she said.
"As Namibians, we must embrace nationalism. If the government decides that a disease-control border should be established, it must remain public and not be privatised," she said.
She further noted that a barrier previously existed along the Namibia-Angola border to regulate livestock movements.
Political ploy
Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah this week argued that the sudden calls by senior Swapo leaders to remove the red line are a political ploy.
Kamwanyah said that it is likely an attempt to dilute the fight currently spearheaded by Affirmative Reposition (AR) leader Job Amupanda.
The Swapo-Ied government previously hired top lawyers to oppose Amupanda in court and maintain the red line.
Kamwanyah further said it appears hypocritical, given that Swapo has been in power for over 30 years and had many opportunities to address it earlier.
"It could be a case of populist politics, where they're trying to win public support by jumping on a popular issue," Kamwanyah said, adding that it might also be an attempt to take the spotlight away from Amupanda.
"Their sudden interest appears politically calculated rather than genuine."
[email protected]
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