2008-01-28Staff Report 2 By Kuvee Kangueehi Windhoek The case of the two warring factions within the official opposition party, Congress of Democrats (CoD), is set to be heard in the High Court today. This is the second time that the case will be heard in the High Court, after the High Court ordered on September 7 last year that the CoD president should withdraw the decision to expel Members of Parliament Kala Gertze, Elma Dienda and Nora Schimming-Chase. The court is expected to hear the merits of the case this morning as both factions claim to be the legitimate party leaders. The conflict in the CoD started last year after an extraordinary congress, which was held at Keetmanshoop. Ignatius Shixwameni, who has since resigned from the party, challenged Ulenga for presidency but lost by 14 votes. A group led by Shixwameni walked out of the congress and contested the outcome of the congress claiming that the elections were rigged. Ulenga, however, maintained that the elections were free and fair. As the internal battle intensified, the three MPs made an urgent court application after the CoD, under the leadership of Ulenga, decided to expel them from the party. 2008-01-28Staff Report 2
