Serious threats to the people of the Kavango region, forcing thousands to leave their homes behind in search of safety, have been described by a Lutheran pastor in the area. The Rev. Asser Lihongo, supervisor of the Kavango branch of the Evangelical Lutheran OvamboKavango church, told the church newspaper Omukwetu that his people were threatened 'by certain authorities' and told not to go to church services because the church was preaching politics. Most people whose houses were situated in the forests had been threatened with death at night-time, Lihongo said. The responsibility for such threats had been traced to the South African Defence Force. As a result, people had become internal refugees, losing all their property. It had become a more difficult task to carry out mission work, and to help people meet their basic needs for food and shelter.
The fear that existed in the region was the first thing spoken about to anyone visiting. Most workers could not sleep at night because their houses were surrounded by 'armed shadows'. Most young people were reported to have given up school because they were frightened of moving around.
