The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement has demanded former chief of the Namibian Defence Force Martin Shali withdraw utterances bordering on political intimidation, allegedly made at a Swapo rally at Okahandja on Saturday. Through their lawyer Kadhila Amoomo on Sunday, AR said as a forerunner for the dejected masses of the Namibian populace, it is “concerned and aggrieved” by Shali’s purported utterances contained in a widely circulated video clip. In the video spreading like wildfire, Shali – dressed in colors of the ruling Swapo Party – can be heard saying: “They [political opponents] must be killed, but they must not be shot, they must be slaughtered.” “The aforementioned utterances are a direct violation of Article 6 of the Namibian Constitution (The right to life) as well as Article 17 of the Namibian Constitution (The right to participate in political activity),” Amoomo added. Beyond and above politics, the rule of law and democratic principles on which Namibia is founded must always prevail, Amoomo continued. The movement further demands an immediate apology to the Namibian nation and a commitment that such utterances will not be repeated again immediately or before 17h00 on 09 November 2020. AR is prepared to face Shali in court, should he not cede their demand. Equally disappointed in Shali’s alleged political threats is Popular Democratic Movement president, McHenry Venaani, who said it is unconstitutional and flies against Article 17 of the supreme law of the land. “We will lay a criminal charge against the General and he will have his day in court,” he said. In a statement issued on Sunday, Shali stood his ground, saying all he did was to mobilise support for his party. 'In my statement, I used a figurative speech in terms of politically defeating our political opponents at the ballot box by 'cutting off their throats' among others. The figurative speech should be seen in the context of a democratic political campaign in which political parties are fighting for votes,' he said. When contacted for comment, defense minister Peter Vilho saw nothing untoward with Shali's remarks. “It’s his democratic right. He is a private citizen. We have heard worse from opposition leaders, but no one calls them to order,” he said.