Allow us space in your popular newspaper to respond to a letter which appeared in your edition of 2 August 2012, titled “Response to the Concerned Group of Caprivians” by a London-based Concerned Caprivian, which has the capacity to unfairly mislead your readers. London-based questions are welcome, but are unfortunately directed to wrong persons.

The author and the public at large must note that we do not ask or answer questions on behalf of the United Democratic Party (UDP) or the leader Mishake Muyongo. The author is therefore advised to fine-tune his view or perception and see us as concerned Caprivians, like him. He was not responding as Government or as Prime Minister Hon. Angula, we are similarly not asking questions as UDP or Mr. Muyongo.

We belong to different political organisations, mainly RDP, NUDO, APP, NDP, DTA, UDP and SWAPO. Some of us are (prospective) members of the revived CANU. With us, belonging to different political organisations or tribes is not a barrier to brotherhood or to working together over a common problem, and does not mean we speak on behalf of any political organisation or tribe.

It is also necessary to clear persistent ignorance noticed not only from the London based Caprivian, but also from a few individuals in Caprivi including the Governor, Hon. Sampofu, who more than once said that the Caprivi High treason suspects are individuals who “shot and killed people” on 2 August 1999.

The Honourable Governor, London-based Concerned Caprivian, and others, must learn that the Constitution of Namibia states that “all persons charged with an offence shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.” Utterances referring to Caprivi high treason suspects as “rebels who shot and killed people” must be unheard from now - especially in public platforms - until the pronouncement of the Court on who is guilty or not.

Our humanitarian call for an unconditional release of all Caprivi political prisoners is tightly packed together with a peaceful (out of court) political settlement, ideally a dialogue where questions, such as those asked by the fellow London-based concerned Caprivian would be directly asked to UDP by Government of Namibia. Our demands do not end with the unconditional release only, but with finding a lasting political solution.

UDP readiness for direct political discussion with the Namibian government, to us means that it is ready to answer such questions as those asked by the author e.g. why UDP/CLA opted for violence! Whether violence was first choice or any peaceful effort was initially tried! Without a dialogue such fundamental questions will remain unanswered, even after the end of all Caprivi high treason trials. Ten already sentenced with “outstanding issues” in their hearts and minds, and Judge Manyarara unfortunately died empty-headed on the fundamental cause of the 1999 attack and subsequently the trial he presided over! You see?

In a dialogue, UDP would answer Government questions, and Government would answer UDP questions. In the end, a mutual understanding is reached, then a permanent solution decided upon.

We do not entertain tribal hallucinations. We said it many times that we are concerned about all lives lost and people suffering (all victims) in this dispute, without reference to any tribe.

As leaders and as responsible citizens, let us do away with ignorance, arrogance and negligence on the Caprivi political issue, wherever we are. It is never too late for peace and discussion.

Let the Prime Minister respond at least before Thursday, 16 August 2012.