Bogus Swapo convention list still a mystery

THE origin of a list of supposed Hidipo Hamutenya followers that is being blamed for the sudden fall of several members of the Swapo old guard seems destined to remain a mystery.

While those on the ill-fated list privately claim it was the work of Sam Nujoma loyalists, others alleged that supporters of former Foreign Affairs Minister Hamutenya compiled it to boost their own chances of election, dominate Government and drive the party machinery. The list has been cited as the reason for the imminent demise of long-standing party leaders after President Nujoma “exposed” it at the Swapo Central Committee meeting on the eve of the election of National Assembly candidates.A Swapo spokesperson this week said there was no “clarity” yet about the author or compilers of the list, described as “bogus” by those on it.”I have no idea whether it was taken up or not,” said Theopolina Mushelenga, Deputy Secretary for Information and Mobilisation.Theories about its origin abound, with the Office of the Attorney General being dragged into the fray, as well as some Swapo lawmakers, such as backbencher George Elia Kaiyamo.All have dismissed the accusations.Attorney General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said the people who drew up the list, whom she claimed to know, wanted to besmear her office.”It is the same people who said this office is behind Ananias Nghifitikeko.For people to think that I can stoop so low as to leave my work and assign people who are employed here …to do dirty work for me or whoever else, is beyond my understanding,” said Iivula-Ithana.She declined to mention the people she believed were responsible for the list, but she said “there is a Swapo spokesperson.Let her tell you because as a party spokesperson she ought to know who drew up that list.”The official Swapo spokesperson, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said after the electoral convention nearly two weeks ago that she knew nothing about the list.Sacky Shanghala, whose name has often been raised in connection with the list, angrily dismissed the allegations.Backers of Hamutenya claim Shanghala, who works in the office of the Attorney General, was seen at the convention venue handing over the list to Presidential staff.”Namibia is truly becoming the valley of rumours,” said Shanghala.”I was not even within 3 km of that zone that day [Friday].This is the mentality of empty vessels.”Such academic cowardice …does not fall within my premise.If I have something to say I’ll say it and I’ll say it to the person’s face,” fumed Shanghala.Kaiyamo said: “How my name came there, I don’t know”.The list angered senior party leaders after Nujoma brandished it as the work of “imperialists and reactionaries” trying to divide the leadership.More than half of the people on the list of 35 names performed poorly at the Swapo electoral convention.They are ranked below 50 in the final National Assembly list.Most certainly out of parliament, unless Swapo improves on its present 55 seats in parliament or if they are rescued by the newly elected State President, are: Agriculture Minister Helmut Angula, Minister of Trade and Industry Jesaya Nyamu, National Assembly Speaker Mosé Tjitendero, Deputy Minister of Finance Clara Bohitile, former Foreign Affairs Minister Hamutenya and Deputy Minister of Prisons Jeremiah Nambinga.Mines and Energy Minister Dr Nickey Iyambo, Minister of Environment and Tourism Phillemon Malima, Minister of Women’s Affairs and Child Welfare Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and backbencher Kaiyamo are all in a precarious situation, especially if apathy was to hit the ruling party.The list has been cited as the reason for the imminent demise of long-standing party leaders after President Nujoma “exposed” it at the Swapo Central Committee meeting on the eve of the election of National Assembly candidates.A Swapo spokesperson this week said there was no “clarity” yet about the author or compilers of the list, described as “bogus” by those on it.”I have no idea whether it was taken up or not,” said Theopolina Mushelenga, Deputy Secretary for Information and Mobilisation.Theories about its origin abound, with the Office of the Attorney General being dragged into the fray, as well as some Swapo lawmakers, such as backbencher George Elia Kaiyamo.All have dismissed the accusations.Attorney General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said the people who drew up the list, whom she claimed to know, wanted to besmear her office.”It is the same people who said this office is behind Ananias Nghifitikeko.For people to think that I can stoop so low as to leave my work and assign people who are employed here …to do dirty work for me or whoever else, is beyond my understanding,” said Iivula-Ithana.She declined to mention the people she believed were responsible for the list, but she said “there is a Swapo spokesperson.Let her tell you because as a party spokesperson she ought to know who drew up that list.”The official Swapo spokesperson, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said after the electoral convention nearly two weeks ago that she knew nothing about the list.Sacky Shanghala, whose name has often been raised in connection with the list, angrily dismissed the allegations.Backers of Hamutenya claim Shanghala, who works in the office of the Attorney General, was seen at the convention venue handing over the list to Presidential staff.”Namibia is truly becoming the valley of rumours,” said Shanghala.”I was not even within 3 km of that zone that day [Friday].This is the mentality of empty vessels.”Such academic cowardice …does not fall within my premise.If I have something to say I’ll say it and I’ll say it to the person’s face,” fumed Shanghala.Kaiyamo said: “How my name came there, I don’t know”.The list angered senior party leaders after Nujoma brandished it as the work of “imperialists and reactionaries” trying to divide the leadership.More than half of the people on the list of 35 names performed poorly at the Swapo electoral convention.They are ranked below 50 in the final National Assembly list.Most certainly out of parliament, unless Swapo improves on its present 55 seats in parliament or if they are rescued by the newly elected State President, are: Agriculture Minister Helmut Angula, Minister of Trade and Industry Jesaya Nyamu, National Assembly Speaker Mosé Tjitendero, Deputy Minister of Finance Clara Bohitile, former Foreign Affairs Minister Hamutenya and Deputy Minister of Prisons Jeremiah Nambinga.Mines and Energy Minister Dr Nickey Iyambo, Minister of Environment and Tourism Phillemon Malima, Minister of Women’s Affairs and Child Welfare Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and backbencher Kaiyamo are all in a precarious situation, especially if apathy was to hit the ruling party.