Presidency spokesperson Alfredo Hengari has expressed his tremendous satisfaction with fellow observers, who were roped in last week by the ruling party to oversee the verification and certification of Swapo’s central committee results. 

Hengari was part of the team called in to observe the central committee vote after anomalies were detected during the 7th elective congress. 

According to Hengari, the procedure took place between Thursday and Saturday – and during that time, they stayed unwashed, unrested, without cellphones and under police guard. 

“We had differences as observers, but we expressed them in a spirit of solidarity, comradeship and respect, including with a commitment to finding common solutions and common ground,” Hengari said on social media.

 Hengari said they meticulously verified 783 ballot papers, totalling over 52 000 votes cast by delegates under the leadership of the chief auditor and chartered accountant Mirjam Dikuaa, whom he described as highly competent. 

He said this was done to ensure democracy and the integrity of the votes of congress delegates was respected. 

“I have to thank President Hage G. Geingob and the top leadership of the Swapo Party for their steadfast leadership before and during the verification exercise, as well as their unwavering commitment to the democratic will of congress delegates, which culminated in duly elected members of the central committee of the Swapo Party,” he said. 

According to him, their deployment follows a crises meeting, held by Geingob with all the concerned parties. 

“In his trademark inclusive and patient but decisive leadership style, President Geingob allowed everyone to speak during a meeting that lasted five hours and directed that the observation mission needed to be inclusive for the verification mission to succeed,” he said.