Windhoek
The Swapo Party’s Otjinene district branch in Omaheke Region has suspended four of its members for allegedly causing division among party members, district coordinator Assaria Tjingaete has confirmed.
However, the party’s regional coordinator, Kejamuina Mungendje believes the branch does not have any powers to suspend anyone. He said he is aware of the said suspensions, but maintained that the party constitution is clear on who can suspend party cadres.
Swapo secretary general Nangolo Mumba said he was not aware of the latest developments, but confirmed knowledge of the “issues there”.
Those allegedly suspended are former district co-ordinator at Otjinene Uaapi Ndjavera, former regional women’s secretary Pentecostine Tjiuombo, district treasurer Progarious Muriambihu and district women’s secretary Alexandrine Karomuini.
In the letter to Mungendje, Tjingaete said the four were suspended pending a regional executive meeting next Monday. He said the decision to suspend the four was taken during an district executive meeting that took place on May 19 at Otjinene.
The four are accused of tribalism and misguiding Swapo members regarding party structures, among other forms of misconduct.
“The four were also instructed not to deliver any assignment under the party ticket, especially on the implementation of the Swapo Party manifesto, Swapo Party programmes and policies, even during previous elections”, reads the letter.
Contacted for comment on their alleged suspensions, Ndjavera, Tjiuombo, Muriambihu and Karomuini denied receiving any letter from Tjingaete to that effect, adding that the politician does not have the power to suspend them.
“If you got that information from Tjingaete, don’t take it seriously. Tjingaete is a mad man roaming around town,” Muriambihu said yesterday.
Tjingaete was adamant that the four are aware of the suspensions, adding that the matter is an ongoing issue. Meanwhile, there have been regular reports of tribal tensions in the region, a matter that Tjingaete brought to the attention of both Mungendje and Mbumba.
In those communications, Tjingaete accused certain Swapo members of promoting factionalism, tribalism, ethnic strife, nepotism, racism, sexism, chauvinism, regionalism and a personality cult.
Also, in the letter to Mbumba, dated April 4, 2016, Tjingaete alleged: “Intentional misinterpretation, misinforming, misleading, confusion and misguiding of Swapo Party members and the public at large to rally behind and support the advancement of the aforementioned comrade and, therefore, instigating Ovaherero people against other tribes.”
New Era understands there are some in the region who are aggrieved that non-Otjiherero speaking people currently occupy key positions, such as that of regional governor, chief regional officer and other high-ranking positions in Gobabis Municipality.
Furthermore, in a widely circulated audio recording, Omaheke Regional Governor Festus Ueitele recently said some members of the Ovaherero community are backstabbers and practice double-standards and do not seem to respect other tribes.
Ueitele was recorded while relating his views to the Bakgalagadi ba Namibia Chief Hubert Ditsabue and his daughter, Josepha Ditsabue, the treasurer of the Swapo Party Women’s Council.