2015-03-12Staff Report 2 WINDHOEK - National Assembly-bound Asser Kapere has informed the ruling party that he is not going to parliament anymore, a ruling party source told New Era yesterday. The reasons for Kapere’s eleventh hour withdrawal were unclear at the time of going to print last night, with the ruling party Swapo declining to comment. Kapere has been the chairperson of the National Council since 2004. Swapo Party secretary general Nangolo Mbumba yesterday refused to comment on the matter. “I am not the one making the news today, call the office of the President-elect and please just listen to what I am telling you,” Mbumba said. Swapo Party Elders Council central committee member Loide Shinavene and Khomas regional coordinator Gothard Kasuto will now join the National Assembly, due to Kapere’s withdrawal and the fact that Nickey Iyambo, who was announced as the country’s incoming vice-president, will have to resign from parliament. Shinavene and Kasuto are at positions 78 and 79 on the ruling party’s parliamentary list. They initially did not make it to parliament after Swapo won 77 seats in last year’s parliamentary elections. Geingob said Iyambo will be sworn into parliament as an ordinary member because he is on the list of 77, but must resign before assuming duty as vice-president. Kasuto yesterday pleaded ignorance to the situation, saying: “Who confirmed that I am going to parliament? I am not aware of anything,” he said. New Era could not get hold of Shinavene. 2015-03-12Staff Report 2
