Lawyer Vipuakuje Muharukua yesterday resigned from the Popular Democratic Movement, by extension also relinquishing his National Assembly
seat.
His resignation was confirmed by PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe.
In a resignation letter seen by this reporter, said to have been authored by Muharukua, the politician indicates that his conscience could no longer allow him to campaign for the PDM.
“It is common cause that our nation has entered yet another electoral cycle. I am certain that the PDM needs all hands on deck for its electoral purposes. After a lengthy and diligent consideration, I have come to the determination that I am not in the position to gracefully and with clear conscious proclaim the PDM to the citizenry as the best alternative to the ruling party, or any other party for that matter,” he informed Ngaringombe.
Muharukua then dropped the bombshell.
“I, therefore, deem it the appropriate and honourable thing to do, as I hereby do, revoke my membership of your party and association thereto with effect from 10 April 2024.
I extend my best wishes to the individual(s), who will fill the positions that I leave, especially the public offices, as they continue to serve Namibia,” Muharukua said.
He then moved to wish his erstwhile political home the best in its future endeavours.
“I remain humble, grateful and genuinely indebted to the Namibian people and the PDM for the privilege that I was afforded to serve my nation as a member of parliament for the past nine years. As I move on to other spheres, I deem this to be the ultimate communiqué between myself and the PDM in relation to this matter and hope we will maturely handle this matter discreetly, professionally and maturely,” Muharukua is quoted as saying.
Asked about the content of his letter, Muharukua indicated for confidentiality reasons, he was not at liberty to divulge anything.
Muhurukua also remained mum on why he thinks PDM is not an alternative to the ruling Swapo party or any party on offer.
Confirming the departure, Ngaringombe indicated that Namibia is a democratic country, wherein freedom of association is an enshrined right in the country’s supreme law.
“If he has realised that PDM is no longer the right political home going forward, we can only appreciate his contributions to the PDM and the Namibian people for the past nine years and wish him the best for his future as people who are in a democratic and free nation,” Ngaringombe said.
Asked how significant a loss the departure of Muharukua is, just as the party is heading to its intraparty congress and preparing for the national elections, Ngaringombe was quick to note that “PDM is not a one-man show”.
“Every party has pillars that it stands on and a dream upon which it is founded, and objectives it seeks to realise for the voters and Namibians in general, including those who did not vote for it. These are goals that Vipuaa contributed towards. So, we can’t say we have lost because there are equally capable members within the PDM rank and file who can take over from where he left off to continue with the work of the party because it was not built by one person,” the politician said.
He continued: “PDM was formed to attain certain objectives as contained in its constitution. For as long as the constitution is there, whoever comes in will continue to fulfil those objectives. Vipuaa has contributed to our growth. But his contribution is no longer there. But because he has a solid foundation, vision and dreams, whoever replaces him, whether in the National Assembly or as PDM international relations secretary, will accept our objectives and take them forward.”
Up until yesterday, Muhurukua was seen as a contender for the party’s presidency when it elected its leadership this year.
Photo: Muharukua