ONGWEDIVA – Swapo executive director Austin Samupwa says preparations for the party’s seventh elective congress, set for the end of November in Windhoek, are in full swing.

He said this in response to allegations that despite the congress being around the corner, there are administrative failures to set up the preparatory committee or sub-committees composed of vetted central committee members.

The alleged secretarial shortcomings were revealed by Swapo central committee member Peya Mushelenga last month after he expressed concerns that further delays in constituting the committees would have negative ramifications on the effective and efficient organisation of the congress. He stated that in a letter dated 17 October 2022, addressed to the party’s secretary general Sophia Shaningwa.

In an interview with New Era this week, Samupwa said the preparatory committees were already established in April and May, and claims that there are no committees in place are inaccurate.

“We are busy, and all the preparations are in full swing. The congress is going to happen because nothing has been
going wrong. We are not behind with our preparations,” he
added.

Mushelenga’s letter has caused skirmishes between him and Shaningwa after she confronted him at an internal campaign event held in the Ohangwena region a few weeks ago.

The quarrel began after Shaningwa rushed to Mushelenga in full view of other delegates and candidates, and slammed him for apparently having
leaked the letter to the media.

Shaningwa, who was visibly furious, accused Mushelenga of causing “chaos”.

-  ashikololo@nec.com.na