OMUTHIYA – Former Swapo regional councillor in the Oshikoto region Armas Amukoto says he left the ruling party because his efforts of fighting corruption within the system landed him in hot water with fellow comrades who want to protect their interests.

Amukoto joined the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) last year and is now the party’s regional chairperson. “There nothing anymore for me in Swapo; my wings were clipped by those who were hiding and cheering on corruption and irregularities within the party. Their agenda to block me started already when I was regional councillor – when I was questioning things that were not right. That is when they closed my doors to re-run for my position,” claimed Amukoto in an interview with New Era. 

Amukoto was embroiled in a power tussle last year during a regional Swapo elective conference in Omuthiya, where he wanted to stand as district coordinator. 

He, however, failed the vetting process after he was accused of having supported Dr Panduleni Itula, who stood as an independent presidential candidate prior to forming IPC.

Susana Uukongo, a former local authority councillor for Omuthiya for Swapo, also joined IPC recently and is now a member of its regional disciplinary committee.

She failed to make the cut during internal Swapo elections to stand again as a candidate.

Uukongo told New Era she shifted to the IPC because it will be able to fast-track developmental plans that should be of benefit to society.  “Swapo has failed the people – and I can’t be part of that failure anymore. That’s the reason why the masses voted for me; these people know my capabilities,” she noted.

Swapo unfazed

Swapo party regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu said the party is unfazed, as those leaving were already known backstabbers hence the reason the party blocked them in the structures, as they were not sincere to the party.

“We are not worried about those ones; we knew about their hidden agenda. Thus, we did not want to have them within the ranks of the party, because they are dishonest and disloyal to the party’s agenda,” he said.

- osimasiku@nepc.com.na