Windhoek
The Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP) is yet to receive funding from parliament, as well as office space, due to two factions in the party both claiming to be in charge of its affairs.
Parliament has in the meantime sought clarity from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), while the ombudsman has also chipped in as a mediator.
The party won two seats during last year’s National Assembly election, meaning they are entitled to N$1.91 million as party funding per annum, during their time in parliament. The money is paid out on a quarterly basis, which translates into about N$479 000 each quarter of the year.
The National Assembly decided to suspend the allocation of funds to the WRP after it emerged that two factions both claim to represent the party – one led by Hewat Beukes who is said to be the party leader and authorised representative, and the other by Benson Kaapala, the newly-elected president.
The party is currently represented in parliament by Kaapala and Salmon Fleermuys.
National Assembly Speaker Professor Peter Katjavivi has since referred the matter to the director of elections in the ECN, Professor Paul Isaak, to ensure that no impediments disallow the funding.
Katjavivi informed the party that he would not authorise any disbursement to either of the two factions, and requested the protagonists to refer the matter for mediation by an independent third party.
The two sides approached the ombudsman who found that the May congress, which elected Kaapala as party president, was not convened as per the requirements of the party’s constitution, hence it is a nullity.
“The congress of 17 May did not have the power to expel Beukes, Josob, Fleermuys and Narib and the failure to comply with the rules of natural justice renders the expulsion of these persons null and void,” said ombudsman John Walters in his report.
According to the report, the four were suspended for failing to honour the party’s constitution and for failing to account for party assets and finances.
“As soon as the Commission (ECN) has confirmed that no such impediments exist, it will inform the secretary of the National Assembly accordingly,” said Isaak in a letter written to the WRP last month.
The party’s secretary general Jacobus Josob is however not impressed by the ongoing saga, saying “these criminal actions are open proof that elections are a farce”.
“This is a cynical, reckless and desperate distortion of the law. It is a total renunciation of democratic rights. But, most seriously, it is a denial of the rights of the working people,” said Josob.
The National Assembly secretary Jakes Jacobs yesterday said that parliament was awaiting a response from the ECN before it could give the greenlight for the funds to be paid into the party’s account.
Party insiders have questioned how the two MPs get along in parliament seeing that they represent the two different factions.
“It is really sad to have this infighting, especially considering that the party worked so hard to get two seats and in the process defeated more popular parties such as Swanu, CoD and the Republican Party,” said a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.