TSUMEB – Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) councillor in Tsumeb, Moses Shingo, says it was “foolish” of those that have decided to resign from the party after the party’s leader Hidipo Hamutenya (HH) resigned before he dramatically rescinded his decision to leave the party.
Both the RDP and the UDF have one seat apiece in the seven-seat Tsumeb Town Council dominated by the Swapo Party that has five seats and led by Lenekela Shetekela, who is the Mayor of Tsumeb.
Shingo made the remarks in response to the recent resignation of Omusati regional secretary, Immanuel “Imms” Shikongo that was tendered on Tuesday.
Shikongo’s resignation came after Hamutenya ordered him to organise a meeting that he would address this weekend. After seeking clarity from party structures, Shikongo was informed not to take any instructions from HH, as he was no longer the RDP president.
“We are here because of the ideologies of the party not for individuals. we came from SWAPO because of the ideologies, which in fact are almost the same not because of Hidipo; it is foolish that people are leaving their work within the party for individuals,” stated Shingo.
“If he (Hamutenya) wants to retire let him retire,” asserted Shingo, adding that Hamutenya’s retirement was not the end of the party and that business would continue as usual.
“When we went to SWAPO was it for (Sam) Nujoma? No! So why should we stop working because someone is retiring,” he said.
He went on to say that people should respect Hamutenya’s decision to retire but he was unable to comment on the U-turn Hamutenya made by saying his retirement was not intentional.
“We are not going to stop our work for Hidipo the work must continue. This is a democracy, let the man retire in peace,” he said.
Hamutenya announced his retirement but he sent shockwaves in the RDP when he made a U-turn this week noting that he was “forced” out of the party. Hamutenya blamed factions within the party that “forcefully” and apparently coerced him to leave his position as RDP leader.
The outgoing official opposition party announced that Steve Bezuidenhoudt would act as party president.