Justicia Shipena
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi says he plans to appeal directly to United States President Donald Trump for help, arguing that LPM members are facing political persecution in Namibia.
At a press conference in Keetmanshoop on Thursday, he announced that he intends to write to Trump, urging him to intervene and assist the party as its members endure what he described as torture, inhumane treatment and severe distress.
Swartbooi further claimed that LPM members are living under constant pressure and fear and accused Namibian security forces of behaving like occupying forces.
“We have no choice but to ask President Donald Trump of the United States of America to immediately intervene. Our lives are on a knife’s edge. Our children’s lives are on a knife’s edge,” he said.
Swartbooi claimed that certain communities face political, social and cultural targeting.
He claimed that people from the OvaHerero, Damara, Baster and white Namibian communities are treated as third-class citizens and live in constant fear.
Earlier this year, Trump offered refugee status to Afrikaners after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a law allowing land seizures without compensation in limited cases.
The South African refugee programme, known as Mission South Africa, was launched in February 2025 to grant asylum to white South Africans and other minorities. The Trump administration said these groups faced systemic violence and discrimination under South Africa’s land reform policies.
In May, Trump confronted Ramaphosa in the Oval Office and claimed white farmers in South Africa were being killed and “persecuted.”
Last month, Trump announced a new refugee cap of 7 500 and said priority would be given to white South Africans.
This cut the previous limit of 125 000 set under former president Joe Biden.
He described LPM’s call for support as a revolution and said the party needs the full backing of the people and government of the United States to intervene without restriction, adding that LPM will also seek asylum for its members.
In January, reports emerged Trump was preparing to deport 19 Namibians as part of a nationwide immigration crackdown.
Information released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicated that the individuals were listed on a November 2024 notice that included 1.4 million people facing final removal.
Swartbooi maintained that establishing a political party to restore people’s dignity is not unlawful. He also alleges that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the intelligence services, the security apparatus and the Electoral Commission of Namibia are deliberately targeting LPM leaders.
“All of them pointed toward us to eliminate us politically, personally and socially,” he said.
His comments followed an incident on Wednesday in Keetmanshoop involving ACC investigators and officials from the ||Kharas Regional Council.
Residents, including members from LPM, obstructed ACC officers who went to arrest council chairperson Joseph Isaack and councillor Jeremia Goeieman on corruption-related charges.
Isaack reportedly refused to cooperate when officers arrived at the regional council office.
A crowd then stormed the building and blocked the officers. During the commotion, both Isaack and Goeieman disappeared and evaded custody.
Police in the region said the pair were already considered under arrest and described their disappearance as an attempt to escape lawful custody.
Media reports say the ACC plans to arrest more councillors from the ||Kharas Regional Council on similar allegations.
A week ago, LPM petitioned President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, calling for urgent intervention after the party was allegedly blocked from taking part in the regional and local authority elections in Kalkrand, Rehoboth, Aranos, Stampriet and Gibeon.
LPM described the exclusion as a direct attack on Namibia’s constitutional order and said it has effectively denied thousands of voters their right to support the party.
