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‘Swapo is sitting on a timebomb that will soon explode’


PRESIDENT Hage Geingob may be remembered, among others, for his failure to unite Swapo, for his poor leadership, and his preference for whom he can work with both in the party and the government.

This is the view of a group of Swapo cadres that are frustrated by what they say is Geingob and his top leadership’s unwillingness to address factionalism, tribalism and slate politics in the ruling party.

The group’s membership is drawn from war veterans, former central committee members, former unionists and student leaders.

During a press briefing yesterday at the Swapo headquarters in Windhoek, the group said the party leadership must accept that there is no peace and harmony in Swapo.

“It is our honest opinion that comrade president (Geingob) may be remembered for his failure to unite the Swapo party, for his poor leadership in Swapo and in the government, for his preference with whom he could work in the party and in the government.

“Also for his insensitive public statements, for his poor communication with Swapo party rank and file and lack of grassroots connection,” the group said in a nine-page statement read by former mines and energy minister Isak Katali.

He said Geingob may further be remembered for his silence or inactive position on the widespread poverty in the country, as well as a lack of transparency.

The group’s frustration comes after an unsuccessful attempt to have the party’s top leadership discuss their concerns raised earlier in a 25-page document.

Katali said the group approached Swapo leaders on 10 June, which was followed by a meeting at State House. The group’s delegation was headed by former prime minister Nahas Angula.

However, Katali noted that it later dawned on them that the party leadership was not willing to discuss the matter, despite Geingob’s promises to table the document at the central committee. The document is titled ‘Save Swapo Party’.

DANGEROUS ROAD

The Swapo cadres stressed that despite all efforts they made to save Swapo, the party leadership decided to ignore them altogether.

“What we can say is that the Swapo party is therefore sitting on a time bomb that will soon explode and every Swapo party member will feel it and become casualties [sic]. We are travelling in a dangerous landmine field under the watchful eyes of our current leaders, while they are on the steering wheel,” Katali said.

Angula said of the group’s motivations: “They were particularly concerned about disunity in the party, lack of political cohesion and lack of ideological direction in the party. They were further concerned about the anti-Swapo constitution tendencies, manifesting themselves into individualism, elitism, careerism, identity and slate politics,” Angula said during the press briefing.

MESSAGE TO DELEGATES

Swapo candidates have been criss-crossing the country ahead of next month’s ruling party congress.

International relations and cooperation minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and environment minister Pohamba Shifeta are vying for the Swapo vice president position.

However, former works and transport permanent secretary Peter Mwatile warned that factionalism is likely to dent Swapo’s performance during the 2024 presidential and National Assembly elections, if not resolved.

“All these internal players in the campaign, they are all part of the current leadership. So you judge for yourself whether the membership rallies behind them, and whether people are working together in the party, which we are saying is the biggest problem. And when people are not united, forget about achieving a common goal,” Mwatile said.

HENGARI RESPONDS

Hengari yesterday countered Katali, Mwatile and Angula’s claims saying nothing has ever imploded under Geingob’s leadership.

“President Geingob as a freedom fighter and father of the Namibian Constitution, is an exemplary peace builder, an institution builder and a leader who has courageously led our country during a period of great difficulty from 2015 – commodity crises, recurrent droughts and a devastating Covid-19 global pandemic,” Hengari said.

He said the Namibian nation is standing because of the resolute leadership of president Geingob.

“Democracy has winners and losers and those who have lost in democratic elections must accept the verdict as expressed in the wishes of comrades and the Namibian people. A more detailed response, if necessary will be provided to those baseless accusations,” he said. Contacted for comment, Shaningwa said she had not seen the statement made by Angula, Mwatile and Katali.





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