Insiders told The Namibian that Riruako told a crucial meeting of the national bureau on Tuesday evening that there was nothing that the party could do against Tjijenda because he turned state witness in the election ballot-burning case between two opposition parties and the Electoral Commission of Namibia.

Tjijenda's name featured prominently in affidavits filed by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in its case against the Republican Party and the Congress of Democrats (CoD), which want last year's National Assembly elections nullified because it was flawed.

"He (Riruako) told us that we cannot do anything until the case was finalised.

Whether he is a state witness or not, Nudo did not send him there (Okahandja)," said the source.

The ballot paper case, central to the opposition challenge to the National Assembly election results, threatens to derail Nudo's bid to have a stake in Government.

Tjijenda's alleged involvement in the burning of ballot papers is said to have affected negotiations with the ruling Swapo party on Nudo's aspirations to form "a government of national unity".

Riruako has refused to provide any details on the talks with Swapo.

Sources said Riruako did not allow any discussions on Tjijenda's involvement in the ballot paper case.

"He was very blunt on that one," another source said.

Party officials who hoped that Tjijenda would be called to explain his involvement said they were now concerned that the acting SG might have been paid to turn against other opposition parties.

"We are also starting to question whether [DTA President Katuutire] Kaura's statements in the past that the Chief [Kaura] took Nudo out of the DTA to take it to Swapo are not true," said one Nudo leader.

In the meantime, Riruako has summoned all traditional leaders to Windhoek for a meeting yesterday.

"There are different versions about the reasons for the meeting.

Some say he wants to discuss the resignation of [former Secretary General Joseph] Kauandenge as his advisor while others say he wants to put to rest all concerns about the destiny of the party.

Maybe even asking their opinion on joining the Swapo government," said one insider.

Kauandenge resigned on Monday, claiming that the Nudo leadership had alienated the youth although they had been the first to rally behind Riruako.

He also claimed double standards, saying the party had acted swiftly to discipline him when he differed with them, but is refusing to do so in Tjijenda's case.

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  Fatal kicking case to Regional Court
•  MVA sues paralysed accident victim
•  Koevoet bases to be renovated
•  Campsites bring hope to Puros
•  'Koos Kombuis' in Walvis cell
•  Ulenga leaves Parliament to prepare CoD for elections
•  Chief /Gaseb does not acknowledge appointment by King Justus //Garoeb
•  German museum to return skulls
•  Big Brother Africa 3: E-mails - From You To Us
•  Big Brother Africa 3: Is Malawi going to clean up?
•  Court cracks down on 'struggle children'
•  Nearly a third of Namibians poor
•  Pupils suspended over porn DVD
•  NA approves US grant
•  Russian couple murder sent to High Court
•  Rain prospects for the northeast good
•  Housing Minister meets shack dwellers
•  Flood of applause for flood support
•  New deputy chair for chiefs' council
•  Special week for Special Olympians
•  Misa Namibia Media Awards 2008
•  Bret goes bust
•  Fruit fly causes loss of millions in exports
•  Knives out for Pohamba