By Engel Nawatiseb
TSUMEB
Some delegates from the Oshikoto Region to the 4th Ordinary Congress of the Swapo party, have cautioned against a party regional politician that they accuse of leading a campaign to confuse delegates from other regions by trying to influence their voting.
Behind the alleged campaign is the regional coordinator for Swapo Party in the Kavango Region, Vincent Likoro, who arrived in “transit” in the Oshikoto Region recently on his way to the Oshana Region to meet his counterpart Erastus Uutoni.
Likoro, a member of the Central Committee of Swapo, who claims to have been mandated by both the Kavango and Caprivi regions, will reportedly visit at least seven regions in a last bid before congress to talk to delegates about a list produced by the Caprivi and Kavango regional conferences.
The two regions are said to have endorsed Hifikepunye Pohamba to the party presidency, Dr Hage Geingob as Deputy President, Dr Ngarikutuke Tjiriange as Secretary General and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Doreen Sioka as Deputy Secretary General.
The positioning of the top four candidates was reportedly proposed on the basis of “tribal” orientation to promote inclusiveness.
Likoro is reported to have said that the “Omusati” syndrome is no longer welcome in the party and should be destroyed to pave the way for inclusiveness.
Delegates from Oshikoto, however, dismissed Likoro’s “strategic” campaigning methods of infiltrating other regions to cause confusion and anarchy by way of lobbying support for individual candidates on the basis of tribal orientation.
The delegates appealed to regional coordinators of the respective regions to block Likoro’s access and entry into the political territories of his counterparts.
“This man is not to be trusted, he is the right-hand man of Hidipo Hamutenya, and since when did he become genuine to the real cause of Swapo? The nation is fully aware how he played protocol to HH at many public events, not to mention the music bonanza which brought famous South African-based artists such as Judith Zephuma and Louis Mhlanga to Zoo park last year.
“We think he is busy implementing their (Jesaya Nyamu’s) notes by remaining in Swapo to cause havoc and confusion. I want delegates and regional coordinators to apply utmost vigilance because we are infiltrated by imperialists agents,” said a delegate from Omuthiya.
Other delegates wanted to know the source of funding for the round trips of Likoro prior to the congress.
Said Festus Ashipala: “It is a costly exercise to travel from one region to another just to convince people to vote for a candidate. I suspect that one or two desperate candidates must have pooled money and commissioned the ‘Likoro mission’ of desperation.
“In fact, comrades Pohamba and Geingob are sole candidates and are not suffering from any traumas unlike the one “guy” whom we are suspecting of crying foul at the last minute when the game is over. Likoro is hitch-hiking, if it was a party mission he could use a party vehicle.”
Oshikoto Regional Coordinator Armas Amukwiyu has questioned the mandate served upon Likoro by the Caprivi and Kavango regions to mobilize support for the candidates of the latter regions.
Amukwiyu said that although he appreciated the consultation that took place between him and the “visiting” Likoro, the latter never produced a mandatory letter from Kavango and Caprivi regions, neither did Likoro inform of his visit on an official letterhead of the party.
“The motive of my counterpart is scary and questionable. We in the Oshikoto Region do not entertain the promotion of tribalism but rather nominated our candidates based on their leadership qualities, integrity, honesty and ability to deliver to the expectations of the electorate. Yes, consultation is necessary, but not to tell us that our candidates are bad and not worthy of being elected along ethnic orientation – no,” said Amukwiyu.
The Oshikoto regional conference held recently at Onankali proposed to the political bureau the top four positions – Pohamba as party President, Dr Hage Geingob as vice, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana as Secretary General John Pandeni as Deputy Secretary General.
“We proposed Cde Iivula-Ithana in the interest of quality and gender balance because she has proven herself beyond reasonable doubt, not that we dispute the leadership qualities of our other comrade in the race for the SG position.”
Amukwiyu told New Era that his counterpart (Likoro) is fully determined to lobby delegates to vote for his candidates before the date of congress arrives.
“I am really shocked and surprised by this latest campaign trend in Swapo, it is certainly uncalled for because we know exactly what we stand for and who are our genuine leaders to be supported through our votes and who finally to liquidate due to non-performance.”
He added, “In fact, those who claimed neutrality and allowed a chaotic situation within our party must be given a one-way ticket and never to return to any crucial leadership position again. One cannot claim neutrality when you are expected to act immediately for being elected into a top position as a Swapo leader. Now is the time to deal with them, only congress and no other body should finally restore order and dignity to the party which others helped to destroy systematically. Therefore, our votes will be the authentic Swapo language, come congress,” said a vibrant Amukwiyu.
He further urged delegates from all 13 regions to remain vigilant and make the correct choices when casting their votes for the top four and members of the CC.
Meanwhile, Amukwiyu told party members who continue to harbour allegiances to the former Swapo Member of Parliament Hidipo Hamutenya, to declare their loyalty towards Swapo now or quit right away before the commencement of the congress.
“It is only fair to leave now, please, please, please, follow your boss immediately, we do not trust you any longer because we know exactly how you organized and attended secret campaign meetings for Hidipo (Hamutenya) and cohorts in Tsumeb and on surrounding farms and region at large and also mobilized strategies on how to destroy Swapo.”
Amukwiyu added, “The very same people, some of them delegates, were part of the forefront torchbearers for HH during the 2004 extra-ordinary congress. When we sit in meetings and I look at them, their association with HH and group becomes obvious. It’s better for them to leave Swapo instead of remaining behind to implement the Nyamu notes.
“They should declare their status with Hidipo (Hamutenya) and clique publicly or face the music. The Onankali gathering will determine their inclusion to the delegation to the congress or not.”
The Oshikoto coordinator who addressed a hastily organized district executive committee meeting at Tsumeb recently to discuss the latest developments in the party, also cautioned elected members of his party at the town against actions aimed at discrediting the image of the party.
Amukwiyu is optimistic that the congress proceedings will be smooth although emotions are expected to fly high as many new faces are expected to vie for top positions and membership to the CC.