Irate RDP thugs resort to provocation

By Anna Nakambale
An unruly mob of about 12 members of the Rally for Democracy and Progress, RDP, nearly caused violence at the popular Horse Shoe Market last Saturday when it stormed into Asser Ntinda's Stall, hurling insults and provocative remarks at him and threatening to "do" him in.

They arrived one by one, and by about 16hrs30, RDP members crowded Ntinda's Stall, shouting and warning him that they would "deal" with him. It is not yet clear what their motive was but it appeared that stories which Namibia Today had started publishing recently about RDP President Hidipo Hamutenya might have embarrassed them. The mob swelled to over 20 RDP members as darkness fell, with some of them sporting RDP caps. Among those present was the driver of RDP President, Hidipo Hamutenya, and Wilbard Uusiku, (not Equity Commissioner).

NamRights's activist, Ananias "Kaseven" Aipinge was also there. They almost became unruly when the two ladies working at the Stall refused to take their money for drinks. "We want to teach Asser a lesson," said one RDP member. "He is always writing bad things about RDP and our president. We will fix him one day.

We know where he stays. We will do him in. We will take him where others have gone." Both the Namibian Police and the City Police promptly arrived when they were called in to defuse the situation. But the massive presence of the Police simply seemed to have fuelled their provocation as they continued hurling insults and abusive remarks at Ntinda.

The standoff continued until around 20hrs00. Throughout that time, they were persistently being ordered by the Police to leave the place but they repeatedly refused. When the ladies working at the Stall refused to take their money, some of them went to buy drinks from other stalls and brought them at Ntinda's Stall where they continued to drink. They were also taking some pictures using their cell-phones.

"This is nothing but pure provocation," said one person, who also owns a stall at the Horse Shoe Market. "I have been here for many years but I have never seen provocation of this nature. This is really uncalled for.

"What if they were beaten up? Who will they blame? We do not want this nonsense. They should leave others in peace. We do not go to their bars or businesses. What were they looking for here and why at this specific Stall?"

Some of the people who own stalls at the Horse Shoe Market got angry and started asking the Police why they could not use force to order them to leave. Seeing that the mob would not leave, the Police ordered all the stalls to be closed to avoid violence. "Please just close all your businesses," one police officer said. "We do not want violence. We are here to maintain law and order. It is easier to prevent violence than to restore peace."

The mob only left when all the stalls were closed, humiliated but stilling hurling insults and shouting RDP slogans. The Police managed to contain the situation and they only left after everybody else had left. "If these people continue to provoke others like this, we will have violence which may result in unnecessary injuries and deaths," remarked one police officer. "I hate people who provoke others for nothing. It is good that nobody played into their plan.

"We need peace in this country, not lawlessness. RDP should tell its members to refrain from provoking others. This is serious. These threats are serious. It is unfortunate that we have to close all the stalls because of a few unruly individuals." Namibia Today recently started publishing stories about RDP Hamutenya's role in the demise of the Development Brigade Corporation, DBC, and the Amalgamated Commercial Holdings, AMCOM.

The stories are based on the public hearings conducted by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on DBC and AMCOM. Hamutenya was among the people who were dragged to the Commission where he was grilled on the mess at both AMCOM and DBC. The two companies collapsed in the early 2000s, resulting in massive loss of jobs, assets and money.

Hidipo was Minister of Trade and Industry when the looting started. The Presidential Commission of Inquiry was informed by witnesses that Hidipo should solely be held responsible for the demise of the two companies.