Zebaldt Ngaruka 

EPUKIRO – The Swapo Party has excommunicated four of its members in Omaheke region after three decided to run as independent candidates in the upcoming regional council elections. 

Another will contest under the Landless People’s Movement (LPM). 

The four are former Epukiro constituency councillor Cornelius Vejama Kanguatjivi, secretary for women’s affairs in Okorukambe constituency Veronica Mokaleng, Swapo’s district mobiliser for Okorukambe constituency Magret Raundikua Supii Meroro and Omitara branch coordinator Dominikus Ganeb. 

Swapo’s constitution, amended in 2020, prohibits any member from running against it in elections as an independent candidate. 

Those who do so are automatically expelled from the party. 

In a recent statement, Swapo’s regional coordinator in Omaheke Ruth Kaukuata- Mbura said the four renounced their membership after infringing Article 6(1) (b) of the Swapo Party constitution. The article states that party membership may be terminated or lost through voluntary resignation [which the four did] and expulsion. 

Kaukuata called on the former members to stop representing themselves as Swapo members going forward, saying they have effectively excommunicated themselves from any position they may have held in the Swapo structures. 

Kanguatjivi will contest as an independent candidate for Epukiro, Meroro in Okorukambe, Mokaleng will vie for the Gobabis constituency, while Ganeb eyes the councillor position of Okorukambe as LPM candidate. 

-Nampa