DTA accuses poll body of ‘devious behaviour’

THE DTA has accused the Electoral Commission of having “acted with an ulterior motive” when it registered Chief Kuaima Riruako’s Nudo (National Unity Democratic Movement) as an independent political party.

The accusation is contained in court papers the DTA has filed in the High Court seeking an urgent interdict to stop Nudo from taking part in by-election to be held in Grootfontein on February 12. DTA leader Katuutire Kaura argues in the papers that Nudo remains a member of the DTA.The DTA was set up in 1977 as an umbrella group for a host of ethnic parties under apartheid South Africa which was trying to convince the outside world that Namibians were taking charge of their own affairs.Riruako and his followers say that Nudo membership of the DTA ceased <to exist in the mid-1990s when the parliamentary opposition group declared it had become a single party rather than a coalition of tribal groupings.Kaura says in his affidavit that Riruako disregarded Nudo’s constitution, its congress decisions and the rest of the leadership when he applied to register the party with the Electoral Commission last year.The commission registered Nudo in December, stating that all requirements had been fulfilled.The DTA in turn said the commission disregarded warnings written to it stating that Riruako had acted unlawfully.”The ninth respondent [Electoral Commission] acted with an ulterior motive.The fact that the ninth respondent simply rejected those allegations made in the letters and accepted the first respondent’s version is indicative of a clouded mind,” Kaura stated.The DTA.has asked that Nudo be prevented from taking part in the Grootfontein by-election and that Rirauko be stopped from using the party’s name.The DTA has asked that the Electoral Commission’s registration of Nudo be set aside.The DTA has requested all papers pertaining to the registration of Nudo within 15 days.Nudo’s participation could render elections null and void, Kaura warns in the court papers.Joseph Kauandenge, Secretary General of Rirauko’s Nudo, yesterday claimed Kaura’s allegations were “baseless, u?nfounded and devoid of any truth.”It is clear that virtually everybody has deserted the DTA.We see this interdict as a way to preserve honour.It is the kick of a dying horse,” he said at a press conference.The applicants in the case are: DTA of Namibia, Nudo and Francis Edgart, the DTA candidate in Grootfontein.The respondents are: Riruako, Nudo candidate Augustinus Mbakunguna, Swapo and its candidate Peter Mbwale Kawana, Congress of Democrats and its candidate Titus Matawa Boois, the Republican Party and Jacobus Daniel Marais Blaauw from the RP, as well as the Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Namibia.* Additional reporting by Christof Maletsky and Werner MengesDTA leader Katuutire Kaura argues in the papers that Nudo remains a member of the DTA. The DTA was set up in 1977 as an umbrella group for a host of ethnic parties under apartheid South Africa which was trying to convince the outside world that Namibians were taking charge of their own affairs. Riruako and his followers say that Nudo membership of the DTA ceased <to exist in the mid-1990s when the parliamentary opposition group declared it had become a single party rather than a coalition of tribal groupings. Kaura says in his affidavit that Riruako disregarded Nudo’s constitution, its congress decisions and the rest of the leadership when he applied to register the party with the Electoral Commission last year. The commission registered Nudo in December, stating that all requirements had been fulfilled. The DTA in turn said the commission disregarded warnings written to it stating that Riruako had acted unlawfully. “The ninth respondent [Electoral Commission] acted with an ulterior motive. The fact that the ninth respondent simply rejected those allegations made in the letters and accepted the first respondent’s version is indicative of a clouded mind,” Kaura stated. The DTA.has asked that Nudo be prevented from taking part in the Grootfontein by-election and that Rirauko be stopped from using the party’s name. The DTA has asked that the Electoral Commission’s registration of Nudo be set aside. The DTA has requested all papers pertaining to the registration of Nudo within 15 days. Nudo’s participation could render elections null and void, Kaura warns in the court papers. Joseph Kauandenge, Secretary General of Rirauko’s Nudo, yesterday claimed Kaura’s allegations were “baseless, u?nfounded and devoid of any truth. “It is clear that virtually everybody has deserted the DTA. We see this interdict as a way to preserve honour. It is the kick of a dying horse,” he said at a press conference. The applicants in the case are: DTA of Namibia, Nudo and Francis Edgart, the DTA candidate in Grootfontein. The respondents are: Riruako, Nudo candidate Augustinus Mbakunguna, Swapo and its candidate Peter Mbwale Kawana, Congress of Democrats and its candidate Titus Matawa Boois, the Republican Party and Jacobus Daniel Marais Blaauw from the RP, as well as the Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Namibia. * Additional reporting by Christof Maletsky and Werner Menges