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Swapo nullifies Omaheke women’s election

2016-11-11  Staff Report 2

Swapo nullifies Omaheke women’s election
Windhoek - The politburo of the Swapo Party has set aside the results of the regional elections of its women’s wing in Omaheke Region after investigations revealed that the poll was marred by irregularities, as alleged by several complainants. Swapo’s Omaheke women’s wing in August elected Bianca Van Wyk as the Omaheke Swapo Party Women’s League regional coordinator; Jobeth Hangero as regional mobiliser and Fransina Nguvauva as regional treasurer. Swapo Women’s League secretary general Petrina Haingura confirmed to New Era yesterday that the ruling party has called for a re-election, with the exact dates yet to be confirmed. When contacted for comment Swapo regional coordinator for Omaheke Region Kejamuina Mungendje said he was not aware of any such decision taken by the politburo. “I’m not aware of the decision. I’m hearing it from you for the first time. Maybe it will be communicated to us very soon,” said Mungendje in a telephonic interview this week. Van Wyk yesterday said she was aware of the decision of the politburo, but was still awaiting official communication in this regard. “I heard it from friends. I cannot say much about it,” Van Wyk said. Senior party members in the Omaheke Region have been accused of playing the tribal card in an attempt to derail government programmes. Meanwhile, infighting has rocked the Swapo Party in the region, with some members feeling that a restructuring exercise spearheaded by secretary Petrina Haingura excluded other eligible members from the process. Also earlier this year the Swapo Party’s Otjinene district branch in Omaheke Region suspended four of its members for allegedly sowing division among party members. In the letter to Mungendje, the four were accused of tribalism and misguiding party members regarding party structures, among other forms of misconduct. “The four were also instructed not to deliver any assignment under the party ticket, especially on the implementation of the Swapo Party manifesto, Swapo Party programmes and policies…” read the letter. Also, in a letter to Mbumba, dated April 4, 2016, it was alleged that there is: “Intentional misinterpretation, misinforming, misleading, confusion and misguiding of Swapo Party members and the public at large to rally behind and support the advancement of the aforementioned comrade and, therefore, instigating Ovaherero people against other tribes.” New Era understands there are some in the region who are aggrieved that non-Otjiherero speaking people currently occupy key positions, such as that of regional governor, chief regional officer and other high-ranking positions in Gobabis Municipality.
2016-11-11  Staff Report 2

Tags: Khomas
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