As the election day draws closer, jostling and horse-trading by the country’s second-largest political party have gone into overdrive.
At the heart of things, New Era has been reliably informed, is that some within the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) power circles are scared their party might suffer the same fate as that of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo), which over the weekend failed to hold its intra-party elective congress, with around N$1 million flushed down the drain. Some fear it could be worse for the PDM as factions and internal conflicts are simmering ahead of the congress, slated for 7 August. The crux of the matter is that the current top six leaders are allegedly fighting tooth and nail to be endorsed for the next term – unopposed.
Meanwhile, another group, composed of ejected former members of parliament, is vying for top positions in the party.
Party insiders fear losing seats in parliament next year, which has allegedly intensified the competition for top positions.
PDM currently has 16 seats in the National Assembly, and two in the National Council.
As things stand, it is all but certain that PDM leader McHenry Venaani is expected to retain his position unchallenged, extending his reign by another five years.
By the time he steps down in 2029, he will have led the movement for 15 years.
“That is obvious, because no one in the party wants to oppose Venaani,” said an insider.
In May, Venaani told The Namibian that he would hand over power to any party presidential candidate who scored over 40% at the upcoming congress.
In that specific interview, he confirmed he will still contest as the party’s presidential candidate but is ready for anyone who will contest against him.
The positions being eyed include vice president, secretary general, deputy secretary general, national chairperson and treasurer.
Typically, the party’s top six leaders automatically make it high up on the party list for parliament.
“Everyone now wants these positions so they make it to parliament,” said an insider.
PDM 6
Known as the PDM six in political circles, six of the former members of Parliament (MPs) who were removed from the National Assembly in 2022, and replaced with those elected in 2019, have allegedly regrouped for a complete takeover.
These individuals are Geoffrey Mwilima and Esmeralda !Aebes, Johannes Martin, Kazeongere Tjeundo, Timotheus Shihumbu and Pieter Mostert.
They were replaced by Hidipo Hamata, Yvette Araes, Maximalliant Katjimune, Reggie Diergaardt, Charmaine Tjirare and Mike Venaani, McHenry’s father.
This group is said to be headed by current MP Elma Dienda.
Both Dienda and !Aebes are reportedly gunning for the vice presidency.
Dienda, however, vehemently denies vying for any position.
“Please tell those people to leave me alone. I know what happened to me in the last congress, and that is why I am quiet about those positions,” she said, further stating that she is just an ordinary MP, and has no plans of competing for any position thus far.
Interestingly, Tjeunda, alongside former Epupa constituency councillor Nguzu Muharukua, are both said to have been earmarked for the vice presidency, New Era further understands.
Muharukua is the father of erstwhile PDM lawmaker Vipuakuje Muharukua, who has since left the party to join the ruling Swapo party.
“The party needs someone from Kunene at the top,” an insider said.
Chairperson
Meanwhile, Mwilima is said to be eyeing the position of national chairperson, and sports development enthusiast Martin is aiming for secretary general.
This faction is joined by another party member Benson Katjirijova, who allegedly wants the position of deputy secretary general.
While some members are anticipating a watershed congress, others speculate the congress might be called off or postponed to next year.
With only about three weeks to go, the source said, “There is very limited time before the congress, and much is yet to be done. The regional congresses have not yet taken place, and some regions are still busy electing leaders from their constituencies. Leaders are already scared we might not have enough time to hold the congress.”
The congress has so far been postponed twice in early February and April this year.
Not true
The incumbent secretary general, Manuel Ngaringombe, poured cold water over the uncertainties surrounding the congress, stating it will take place, and new leadership will be elected.
“The constitution is very clear. We hold our congress every five years, and we will do the same this year, with the media also invited. We elect leaders. We don’t endorse them. Even if the current leadership wants to lead in the next term, they must be elected,” he said.
On the other hand, party spokesperson Hidipo Hamata criticised party members for “running to the media” to discuss “movement activities or internal affairs as if the media plays a pivotal role in growing the movement at grassroots and national levels”.
Calling the insiders “media politicians”, he added: “It is a pity we have such people masquerading as loyal members of the Movement. Tell your informant to work tirelessly for the movement, rather than spreading rumors. There is no truth in whatever you are asking me. We are a democratic movement. The Congress will elect leaders.”
Payroll
Another issue within PDM affairs involves complaints regarding the ejected MPs who are currently on the party’s payroll, despite being removed from parliament.
The group had quit their jobs, mostly in the public sector, to join Parliament.
However, after the Supreme Court ruled against them, they were left jobless.
This situation put the party between a rock and a hard place, fearing legal action for the loss of their income.
“This prompted the party to put them on the payroll until March next year,” said the source.
Initially, the group was receiving N$35 000, but their salary was reduced by N$10 000, making their current salary N$25 000.
What is peculiar, according to insiders, is that the ejected six former MPs have no clear terms of reference, making them mere “salary collectors”.
Ngaringombe, however, justified the decision to keep the former MPs monied, stating that after the group was ejected, they were absorbed into party positions.
“Some are secretaries, and others are regional coordinators, so it is right that they are on the party payroll because they are employed by the party,” said Ngaringombe.
(PDM)
Caption: Political chess… PDM leader McHenry Venaani.
Photo: File