Omatando rejects OTA--RDP coalition

We, the undersigned and listed residents of Omatando no. 2 Village in Okatana Constituency of Oshana Region hereby reject and totally condemn with the contempt it deserves the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) politically inspired conspiracy and tactics of oppression, confusion, manipulation, exploitation as well as divide and rule being employed through the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority (OTA) against us.

One specific case in point is the public gathering which took place at Omatando no.1 Village in Ongwediva Constituency on the 27th April 2010 whereby the OTA- RDP dictators invited us outside our area of jurisdiction to impose on us a poorly thought out and unpopular decision. The unpopular and provocative decision by the OTA- RDP Coalition was that the Omatando no.2 Village will be absorbed by the other Villages of Omatando no.1 and 3 under Mr. Johannes Nghidinwa Mulongeni and Mr. Thomas Ashiyana respectively.

This particular meeting was chaired by Mr. Hangula "Kapitiya" Mwatotele and also attended by among many others Mr. Amon Shipanga, Senior headman of Onamutayi District, Mr. Simon Kaupa Mwatotele, acting Sub-senior headman of Efidi -lomulunga, Mr. Andreas Naikaku, spokesperson of OTA, Mr, Joseph Nghitumungobe Kamati from Ondeihaluka Village who acted as the main speaker, Ms. Beata Mupika Mengela- Haufiku, the nephew of Mr. Shipanga and anointed heir- apparent of his senior headman ship throne, Mr. Victor Kanhalelo, Headman of Oshali Village who acted as the attendance register caretaker and many other key RDP members, supporters and sympathizers who were pulling the strings behind the scenes.

This unpopular and incorrect decision was arrived at following the failed OTA- RDP instigated Village leadership dispute between the two brothers who are both sons of the previous headman.

Since the OTA favoured candidate who is not legitimately nominated by the previous headman was rejected by us not only because he is an RDP Central Committee member, RDP spokes person in Qshana Region and a parliamentary candidate, but also as a non- starter when it comes to customary legitimacy as a Village Headman candidate. As a result, the OTA- RDP Coalition resorted to unethical and undemocratic tactics to achieve their ill- intended goals. The duo, acting out of frustration, decided to marginalize the other legitimate candidate together with the community of Omatando no.2 Village by way of handing over or "donating"our village to Omatando no 1 and 3 Villages as if we are for sale. Thus making us to lose our dignity, identity, historical and cultural heritage, something which is an insult to our intelligence and ancestors. It is therefore totally unacceptable, practically and morally wrong to apply or experiment the most primitive law of the jungle on us.

Besides that, the OTA- RDP Coalition is acting with a hidden political agenda and also in solidarity with one of their colleague who was exposed in the media by the legitimate candidate for his (their colleague) alleged corrupt practices, cheating and abuse of power following a self-enrichment and money - making scheme regarding gravel mined from the land of a widow at Qmusheshe village.

Having said the above, we would like to state our position categorically clear as follows:

We reject and condemn with the contempt it deserves the OTA- RDP Coalition's conspiracy of dividing and ruling our Village of Omatando no.2.

We pledge our patriotic cooperation with the Central, Regional and local government institutions such as Ongwediva Town Council, Okatana Constituency Office and various government ministries and agencies.

As a matter of fact, it should be made clear that we are part and parcel of Okatana Constituency but not Ongwediva Constituency where the OTA- RDP Coalition has placed us by force since the 27th April 2010. Their illegal action is a clear violation of the political demarcation of the constituencies of Okatana and Ongwediva respectively. We therefore urge the OTA- RDP Coalition of troublemakers to cease and desist from any acts of exploitation (such as the imposition of N$ 10.00 and N$ 30.00 annual fees for homesteads and shebeens as well as charges of N$ 25.00 for customary land rights as if we are living in a communal area under their control), provocation, oppression, blackmailing and manipulation against us.

The reason for this request is that the overwhelming majority of the residents of Omatando no.2 Village are not members, supporters and sympathizers of the RDP. Furthermore, we are residing within the town land (proclaimed area not a communal area) since the 22nd January 2003 and do not have practically anything to do with OTA.

Kindly refer to the agreement for the transfer of rights and interest in land in a proclaimed area by and between the Ongwediva Town Council and traditional leaders in and around Ongwediva Town as per Council Resolution no: CM 30/99 of the 5th May 1999.

As a result and based on the aforementioned reasons the message to OTA and their cohorts should be loud and clear namely: to keep a reasonable distance from us as humanly as possible because we can do without them and they equally can do without us, the Omatando no.2 Village community.

Against this background, we are hereby pledging our unreserved and unwavering support to the fairly, squarely, procedurally and legitimately nominated Headman of Omatando no,2 Village who is currently being victimized by the OTA -RDP Coalition of confused people and trouble makers for having exposed the alleged corrupt practices, cheating and abuse of power by the OTA-RDP ally.

Down OTA - RDP Coalition, Viva our Candidate!, Signed by 144 people, Omatando Village NO 2