By Kuvee Kangueehi Windhoek The new National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Congress of Democrats (CoD) has endorsed the proposal for the party’s recent extraordinary congress to be audited. CoD President Ben Ulenga, at the first meeting of the NEC, informed the gathering that while he had no doubts about the transparency and legitimacy of the Keetmanshoop congress, he had recommended an audit of the process by independent instances. The NEC unanimously endorsed Ulenga’s position with regard to the audit and urged that the process begins soon. But the NEC rejected the dissolution of the newly elected leadership and said it would not allow the request by Ignatius Shixwameni and the concerned group, to hand back the administration of the party to its former secretary general Kalla Gertze. In a media statement issued yesterday by its new secretary general Rosa Namises, the CoD said the NEC rejected demands to nullify itself or hand over the party administration to unelected individuals. Namises said she also submitted a twelve-month programme of action aimed at overhauling the party. The programme proposes a membership recruitment drive, building party branches, the establishment of regional party structures and the opening of regional offices. The party is also looking at creating several new administrative departments at the head office, including a department for media and communications. Meanwhile, Gertze has taken a swipe at Ulenga, saying that the latter’s scandals socially and politically are not worth his time. Responding to a news article that appeared in New Era almost 10 days ago, Gertze denied the allegations that the problems started in the CoD with him being elected as SG in 2004. Gertze said the CoD stands divided and the division existed even before 2002. “Proof of that is the report and recommendations of the Harmony Committee, a committee of four which was formed in February 2003.” Gertze said the findings and recommendations of that report were released in May 2003 to the NEC through him. None of these recommendations were implemented and it disappeared in the hands of Ulenga, he said. In a hard-hitting reply, Gertze said he still has the reportl with him. He added that he is also in possession of a lot of evidence against the allegations Ulenga made against him. “I am equally in possession of malicious letters, fraudulent evidences and Ulenga has an ultimatum.” He warned Ulenga that it is up to him to make an honourable exit as many have now so far urged him to do. “The unfortunate thing is that Ulenga either suffers a serious amnesic condition or he does not just take responsibility for the things he does.”