APP decries abuse of power, corruption

All People’s Party (APP) presidential candidate Ambrosius Kumbwa has warned that an abuse of power undermines democracy and hinders national progress.Speaking at a rally in the Mashare constituency on Saturday, Kumbwa said corruption and neo-colonialism flourish in environments where power is misused, leading to the stagnation of development.“Statistics show that Namibia, with a population of approximately three million, has a youth majority. Among them, 40% are graduates, yet many remain unemployed and on the streets. This highlights the urgent need to deregulate policies and reform the structural labour market to address the unemployment crisis effectively,” he said.Kumbwa criticised government for failing to translate growing budgets into tangible benefits for citizens. “The 2023/24 budget was N$81 billion, and for 2024/25, it increased to N$94.4 billion. Despite this growth, the majority of Namibians continue to live in extreme poverty. Many cannot afford necessities such as water, electricity and healthcare. Orphans and vulnerable children, who should benefit from free education and social welfare grants, are largely excluded."Widening gap He accused the ruling party of ignoring the plight of the poor. “The current ruling power is aware of these challenges but fails to take meaningful, positive action. Non-compliance with legal policies and administrative inefficiencies continue to plague the country,” he said.Kumbwa also took aim at the state of public administration, highlighting issues such as nepotism, favouritism and indirect segregation.“Issues like determining who qualifies as a war veteran, identifying ‘struggle kids,’ and deciding who deserves higher rankings in government or parastatal organisations remain unresolved. The policy of national reconciliation and integration has failed over the past 34 years,” he said, adding that the widening gap between the rich and poor contradicts Article 95 of the Namibian Constitution.“The APP believes the gap between the rich and the poor must be narrowed. It advocates for prioritising the poor, the ultra-poor and those living in informal settlements, urban shacks, and remote rural areas. These individuals struggle to survive while others enjoy excessive wealth,” he said.Action, not wordsKumbwa further criticised the dominance of foreign-owned companies in Namibia, saying it has left locals marginalised.“Neo-colonialism persists, and the ruling power has failed to address this imbalance,” he added.Kumbwa accused Swapo of failing to address systemic corruption.“Millions and billions of dollars are lost annually to corruption, yet the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) fails to act decisively. The Swapo government claims to uphold democracy on paper but operates undemocratically, leaning toward plutocracy,” he argued.“The APP promises action, not words. Through the right procedures and democratic means, it aims to bring about real change. The best way to exercise this democratic right is through an unspoiled ballot paper,” he said.nikanor@erongo.com.na#NamibiaDecides2024

APP decries abuse of power, corruption

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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APP decries abuse of power, corruption

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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