Gloves come off for Swapo primaries

THE ruling Swapo party begins its journey to this year’s regional and local authority elections in earnest at the weekend with the first series of primary elections in the Omaheke Region.

According to party insiders in the East, internal feuding has intensified ahead of the primaries as some party stalwarts seem destined to be vanquished by aspiring newcomers. The Namibian has received complaints from disgruntled Swapo members and some aspirants who accuse the party’s regional co-ordinator for Omaheke, Festus Ueitele, of trying to block the forthcoming primaries to favour his preferred candidates.One party insider says anonymously: “He (Ueitele) is being used by some candidates to manipulate things in their favour, but the writing is on the wall … His preferred candidates are not in the voters’ favour”.One aspirant added: “Some voters are being summoned to the office and intimidated by the co-ordinator”.Ueitele has dismissed such accusations as baseless, and accuse some desperate aspirants of looking for scapegoats as the party primaries draw closer.”I do not have an interest in individual candidates, my only interest is to ensure that Swapo as a party wins all these constituencies in the upcoming elections,” he said.The Swapo co-ordinators denied being behind any attempts to block the start of the party’s election process this weekend, but hinted that the exercise could be delayed because “some things” needed to be sorted out.Without elaborating on what issues were outstanding, Ueitele added: “We need to finalise these things before we start the selection of candidates … I want the (primaries) process to be carried our in accordance with the party’s rules and guidelines”.Sources in Omaheke have indicated that Regional Governor Laura McLeod and National Council legislator Killus Nguvauva are expected to be the main casualties from that region’s Swapo primaries.The ruling party election begins in Otjombinde constituency on Saturday where incumbent councillor Willie Hoveka will defend his seat against five contestants: Fessy Marenga, Gerson Kavitjene, Karii Kandjou, Katjanaa Kaurivi and Kee Uanivi.On Sunday the focus will shift to the new constituency of Epukiro where former parliamentarian Brave Tjizera is tipped to have an easy ride against four aspirants, including the chief executive of the Nossob River Systems, Mac Hengari.Two of the other contenders are: Ruth Kaukuata (a teacher by profession) and Information and Broadcasting Ministry employee France Murangi.School principal Tuiuane Kandjou-Tjozongoro is believed to have withdrawn from the race after failing to secure support from his branch.A tough fight is expected in Gobabis on January 17 when Governor McLeod and Ambrosius Kandjii, national co-ordinator of the Namibia Amateur Boxing Federation, slug it out.Gobabis is one of the ruling party political “hot spots” and the pair are said to have been busy trying to outwit each other with intensive underground campaigns and lobbying.Other keen contests will be in Steinhausen and Otjinene constituencies.In Steinhausen, Castro Kavari and Chris Hoebes will try to wrench the constituency from National Council MP Killus Nguvauva.In Otjinene, the Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture, Joshua Kahikuata, will stand against ex-school principal Ephraim Keja and Reverend Petrus Tjijombo.Steve Mogotsi and Kejamuina Mungendje are unopposed in Kalahari and Aminuis constituencies respectively.The Namibian has received complaints from disgruntled Swapo members and some aspirants who accuse the party’s regional co-ordinator for Omaheke, Festus Ueitele, of trying to block the forthcoming primaries to favour his preferred candidates. One party insider says anonymously: “He (Ueitele) is being used by some candidates to manipulate things in their favour, but the writing is on the wall … His preferred candidates are not in the voters’ favour”. One aspirant added: “Some voters are being summoned to the office and intimidated by the co-ordinator”. Ueitele has dismissed such accusations as baseless, and accuse some desperate aspirants of looking for scapegoats as the party primaries draw closer. “I do not have an interest in individual candidates, my only interest is to ensure that Swapo as a party wins all these constituencies in the upcoming elections,” he said. The Swapo co-ordinators denied being behind any attempts to block the start of the party’s election process this weekend, but hinted that the exercise could be delayed because “some things” needed to be sorted out. Without elaborating on what issues were outstanding, Ueitele added: “We need to finalise these things before we start the selection of candidates … I want the (primaries) process to be carried our in accordance with the party’s rules and guidelines”. Sources in Omaheke have indicated that Regional Governor Laura McLeod and National Council legislator Killus Nguvauva are expected to be the main casualties from that region’s Swapo primaries. The ruling party election begins in Otjombinde constituency on Saturday where incumbent councillor Willie Hoveka will defend his seat against five contestants: Fessy Marenga, Gerson Kavitjene, Karii Kandjou, Katjanaa Kaurivi and Kee Uanivi. On Sunday the focus will shift to the new constituency of Epukiro where former parliamentarian Brave Tjizera is tipped to have an easy ride against four aspirants, including the chief executive of the Nossob River Systems, Mac Hengari. Two of the other contenders are: Ruth Kaukuata (a teacher by profession) and Information and Broadcasting Ministry employee France Murangi. School principal Tuiuane Kandjou-Tjozongoro is believed to have withdrawn from the race after failing to secure support from his branch. A tough fight is expected in Gobabis on January 17 when Governor McLeod and Ambrosius Kandjii, national co-ordinator of the Namibia Amateur Boxing Federation, slug it out. Gobabis is one of the ruling party political “hot spots” and the pair are said to have been busy trying to outwit each other with intensive underground campaigns and lobbying. Other keen contests will be in Steinhausen and Otjinene constituencies. In Steinhausen, Castro Kavari and Chris Hoebes will try to wrench the constituency from National Council MP Killus Nguvauva. In Otjinene, the Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture, Joshua Kahikuata, will stand against ex-school principal Ephraim Keja and Reverend Petrus Tjijombo. Steve Mogotsi and Kejamuina Mungendje are unopposed in Kalahari and Aminuis constituencies respectively.