Walvis Bay
The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) in Erongo Region has suspended its regional secretary Laina Shapange and the regional secretary for information, publicity and mobilisation, Manfred Kamwanga Likoro. This follows a decision taken at its ordinary regional executive committee (REC) meeting held on Saturday in Omaruru.
Reinhold Shipwikineni was appointed as the acting regional secretary of SPYL for Erongo and Sara-Leigh Elago as the regional secretary for information, publicity and mobilisation.
Though no official information was forthcoming as to what triggered the suspensions, sources in the party indicated that outstanding financial reports, alleged financial mismanagement and a lack of interest in league affairs fuelled the suspension.
Elago yesterday said the outcome of the meeting was referred to the REC for further scrutiny, after which they could reveal the basis of the suspensions.
“At this stage we are not at liberty to comment on the suspensions and can only do so after the REC sits,” she explained.
According to the statement issued on Sunday, Shapange was expected to chair the meeting but allegedly called off the meeting last Thursday, without any valid explanation.
The statement further said the suspensions were based on recommendations made during the meeting to ensure that SPYL structures are upheld throughout the region.
“Accordingly, the REC, having reflected on the matter and others, hence resolved that REC must ensure that SPYL structures are upheld throughout the region, as per SPYL requirements.”
It was also recommended the SPYL secretariat prepare all pending reports and minutes for the REC’s attention, including a conference report that was sent back to the REC during the 2012 conference, as well as on the Nathaniel Maxuilili gala dinner and festival held in 2014.
“The secretariat must also prepare the report to be tabled at the next REC meeting regarding all activities of the gala dinner and festival, including financial reports pertaining to this event,” the statement reads.
The Erongo REC will soon convene a meeting to discuss the way forward.
When contacted for comment yesterday afternoon both Likoro and Shapange confirmed they had received their suspension letters yesterday. “We still don’t know why we were suspended and are still waiting for further details, as the letters do not say much,” Likoro said.